200 Construction Jobs At £81m Power Plant

200 jobs are expected to be created during the construction of a new renewable energy power plant in L'Derry, following the securing of £81m of funding.

The new plant will be built at the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners land at Lisahally, and could potentially supply 25,000 homes with power.

Northern Ireland-based Evermore Renewable Energy is building the plant, the first of its kind in the whole of Ireland.

It is thought the development could increase the amount of renewable energy generated in Northern Ireland by 10%.

Construction work will start in the coming weeks.

Ciaran Devine, co-founder of Evermore commented: "We are making a serious commitment to the Northern Ireland energy market. Working with the best partners in technology, fuel supply and financing we hope to show that Northern Ireland is a great place to do business so that further inward investment will follow.

"These projects are extremely complex and they require the involvement of many statutory bodies and government departments and we hope this Investment will show the rest of the UK how committed Northern Ireland is to supporting renewable energy development, and how competent Evermore is at bringing these elements together and financing complex structures."

Co-founder Stephen Devine added: "Our ability to attract this level of investment into Northern Ireland is testament to our team's commitment and skill in both project development and project financing."

Energy Minister Arlene Foster said: "The Evermore plant will make an important contribution towards Northern Ireland's 2020 renewable energy targets.

"It is a wonderful example of local, national and international co-operation and I am particularly pleased to note that this is the first Northern Ireland project to secure funding from the Green Investment Bank. I congratulate all those involved in securing this significant investment for the North West."

(IT/CD)