Fifty new jobs have been announced as Optinergy, the Irish-owned service provider in windfarm operation and maintenance, today announces its acquisition of the Wind O&M (Operation and Maintenance) division of LotusWorks, Lotus Energy Systems.
The acquisition creates Ireland’s leading wind O&M company.
The newly expanded operation will create an additional 50 jobs over the next 5 years for engineers and advanced trades people in rural Ireland.
The acquisition will enhance Optinergy’s position as the largest Wind Independent Service Provider in the Irish market, delivering additional €5m revenue for Optinergy over the next 5 years.
Headquartered in Stradone, Co. Cavan with sub offices in Letterkenny, Sligo, Tullamore, Tralee and Skibbereen, Optinergy is Ireland’s leading independent provider of O&M services.
Optinergy specialises in the provision of O&M services to the wind industry, both on the island of Ireland and throughout Europe, and is part of the Galetech Energy Developments Group Ltd.
The acquisition of Lotus Energy Systems comes as part of a previously announced, wider €650 million Group pipeline investment.
Optinergy works with many of the biggest companies in Ireland’s wind energy sector, including Brookfield, Bord Na Mona, Wind NI and many leading independently-owned wind farms and utilities.
There are currently 228 wind farms in Ireland generating nearly 3000 MW of onshore wind on the island of Ireland. It is expected that a further 1550 MW of projects are due to be delivered in the Republic of Ireland under REFIT 2.
Some 16,534 gigawatt (GW) of wind energy has been generated since the start of the year, representing 21% of total electricity demand on the island of Ireland during this period.
Managing Director of Optinergy, Aiden Watters, commenting on the acquisition said, “We are delighted to announce this important acquisition. This expansion further enhances Optinergy’s position as the largest independent O&M provider in Ireland.The Lotus Energy Systems team have developed an excellent business with a very strong focus customer service. We look forward to working with them to build a force in the Irish wind industry."
"The jobs which we are announcing today are mainly for engineers and advanced trades people. To date, this work has often been carried out by international companies, coming to Ireland on a project by project basis. We are delighted to be building a business which can provide jobs locally, across Ireland, and can compete in an international market.“ He added.
Source: www.businessworld.ie
