Bord na Mona has announced 300 new green tech jobs as part of its vision to reduce CO2 per MW hour by 50pc and meet its target of providing 500MW of wind energy in the next five years.
Bord na Mona revealed ambitious sustainability targets today as it published its annual results for the year.
Profits across the key core business areas – fuels, energy and resource recovery – are up, with operating profit for the past year standing at €23.8m, up €1.3m on the previous year’s results.
Company turnover for the past year stands at €401.6m, up 8pc on the previous year. And a dividend of €12.9m was paid to shareholders.
Bord na Móna has announced significant planned capital investments in a range of products and services that are beneficial to the environment, encompassing electricity, heating solutions, resource recovery, water, horticulture and related services.
“This is Bord na Móna’s first Sustainability Report,” said the chief executive of Bord na Móna, Gabriel D’Arcy.
“Clearly we have set ourselves ambitious targets, but everyone within the organisation is committed to and focused on demonstrating how sustainability can be an engine for growth in Ireland. We are currently on track and excited about the future of the company.
The key investments will generate the following returns:
- Tons of CO2 per MW hour will be reduced by 50pc
- The dilution of peat products with green waste will be raised to 50pc
- Diversion of waste from landfill will be raised to 80pc
- Bord na Móna will be the market leader in organic waste recovery
- Bord na Móna will be the market leader in the UK and Ireland for sustainable horticultural products
- Bord na Móna will meet its target of providing 500MW of wind energy
“This direction shows us that by going green, we not only benefit the environment but we reap considerable economic benefits as well,” said the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan TD.
“These jobs in areas such as resource recovery will reduce the volume of materials going to landfill and re-direct them for use in horticulture and energy.
“Bord na Móna understands the economic imperative of a new green direction. I wish CEO Gabriel D’Arcy well in the challenging targets he has set the company. Today shows the green economy in action, setting the path to our national recovery and tackling climate change in one fell swoop. Sustainability merges the economy and the environment to everyone’s benefit,” Minister Ryan said.
By John Kennedy
