Airtricity hires former UK energy minister
Friday, 14 October 2005Airtricity has appointed a former British energy minister as chairman of its new UK operation, reflecting its gradual move away from the Irish market.
The objective of the company's new UK Operations Group, is to co-ordinate all of Airtricity's UK-based activities.
Brian Wilson will take up the role of non-executive chairman of this group and the company also plans to recruit a chief executive for its UK operation.
This company said that this development reflects the fact that the company is concentrating less of its attention on the Irish market and is increasingly focused on the British and US markets.
"As energy prices continue to soar and uncertainty surrounds future trends, the Irish government still has no coherent energy policy and is offering token support only, to renewables," said Eddie O'Connor, chief executive of Airtricity. "It is a pleasure to operate in the UK where the Government is committed to the growth of the renewable energy sector."
Brian Wilson was the UK Minister for Industry and Energy in 2001 and the Minister for Energy and Construction in 2002 before he retired from politics in 2003.
Airtricity was established in 1999 to develop wind energy in Ireland and abroad. The company has wind farms in the Republic of Ireland in Donegal, Sligo, Cavan and Wicklow Fermanagh and in Scotland. It is currently developing wind farms in Ireland, Britain and the US.
