Former Bord Gáis chief executive John Mullins has died aged 57.
Mr Mullins was the executive chairman of Amarenco, a company which is focused on the development, financing and ownership of solar PV assets in Europe, Carribbean, Middle East and AsiaPac.
In a statement, the company said: "As a co-founder of Amarenco, alongside Alain Desvigne, he was a visionary entrepreneur and a passionate climate protection advocate.
"John held executive roles within Amarenco until the end of 2024, driving the business forward in the face of many challenges.
"His dedication, vision, and values have left a lasting mark and will continue to guide our company into the future.
"John will be greatly missed by all within our business, and our industry, for his leadership and friendship."
Mr Mullins was CEO of Bord Gáis Energy from December 2007 until the end of 2012.
During this time, Bord Gáis Energy established a significant electricity business and developed significant renewable and conventional generation assets.
During his career, Mr Mullins held senior management positions with ESB, ESB International, PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK) and NTR.
Mr Mullins also served as Chairman of the Port of Cork Company from 2013 to 2021 and was a director of the Tyndall Institute, Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Wisetek Solutions Limited.
He was a Fellow of Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineering. He held a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the Smurfit Business School in UCD, Dublin.
Mr Mullins was awarded a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur by the French government in 2015. He received the highest civilian honour in France in recognition of his work in developing the country's solar energy market.
He was also a Fine Gael candidate for the European Parliament in Ireland South last year, polling almost 40,000 votes.
In 1994, Mr Mullins put his name forward as a Fine Gael general election candidate for Cork North-Central. He fell short of getting on the ballot by a single vote, losing out to Colm Burke who is now a TD in the constituency.
Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said he was shocked and saddened to hear of Mr Mullins' death, adding that it was an honour to know him "to soldier with him in politics, to canvass with him".
He described Mr Mullins as "kind, witty, intelligent and fundamentally decent" and "who always wanted to do right by his community and his country. His loss is immense and will be felt deeply by so many".
Offering his sympathies to Mr Mullins' wife and chidlren, Mr Harris said that the "Fine Gael family, especially across Cork, mourns his loss today".
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said Mr Mullins had made a "distinguished contribution to public life, business, sports and politics".
The Fianna Fáil leader described Mr Mullins as a "wonderfully gregarious character who had a huge impact in Cork and across the country and said he "often enjoyed great banter with him over sporting rivalries".
Mr Martin said: "John fully realised his potential in public service and in business, but he could just as easily have realised his promise in politics with his deep and abiding interest and involvement with Fine Gael.
"A great strategist, you would see John at all the election counts over the years."
He added that "so many people will be shocked and saddened at John's passing at such a young age."
Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said the group was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Mullins.
"Throughout the business community, John was a highly respected entrepreneur and businessman. Through his chairmanship of solar energy firm Amarenco and as CEO of Bord Gáis, he demonstrated excellence in leadership and a passion for innovation," Mr McCoy said.
He also said that Mr Mullins was deeply committed to the development of Cork and the wider Munster ecosystem, which was evident in his role as President of the Cork Chamber of Commerce and as Chairperson of the Port of Cork Board.
"John's passion for his native Cork was palpable - something many in Ibec will remember him for, including his most recent address to our members during his candidacy in the last European elections," he added.
Mr Mullins is survived by his wife Siobhan and their two children.
