A new renewable energy business park is to be developed on 3,000 hectares of Bord na Móna land in Meath, Offaly and Westmeath.
Energy at the site will be generated from renewable means, including solar, wind, green hydrogen and energy storage and used to power nearby businesses, reducing network and grid costs.
The company thinks that Energy Park could be attractive to high-demand businesses such as data centres and large-scale distribution centres that could co-locate alongside the electricity sources.
It estimates that up to 200MW of renewable energy could be supplied from the midlands park, which will be situated on peatlands close to Junction 3 on the M6 motorway at Rochfortbridge in Co Westmeath.
Tom Donnellan, Chief Executive of Bord na Móna, said the proposed facility brings with it a whole range of solutions to the challenge of achieving net zero emissions.
"It will reduce Ireland's reliance on national grid infrastructure and will increase self-sufficiency and energy security in the country while meeting the needs of the national and regional economies," he said.
The company said it expects that a substantial numbers of jobs will be brought to the area by the development.
Bord na Móna said it hopes to lodge a planning application for Energy Park in the next 18 to 24 months.
It added that extensive consultation with the local communities is beginning this week and will take place in the coming months with information sessions planned for early next year for those living beside or near the park
