Bord na Móna has announced redeployment opportunities for up to 200 of its workers, as well as the creation of up to 150 indirect construction jobs, as part of its strategy to move the company away from traditional peat-based activities.
In addition, it is to re-open its existing voluntary redundancy scheme, which was substantially oversubscribed when announced last year. The company has also announced that it has reached an agreement with ESB that the two peat powered electricity plants in the midlands, one at west Offaly in Shannonbridge, and the other at Lanesborough on Lough Ree, will continue to operate until the end of 2020.
Confirmation of the additional year for the operation of both peat powered electricity plants will provide more time for the company and other organisations to ensure a just transition for workers in the midlands who are losing their jobs as a result of decisions related to tackling climate change. He said the deep peatland rehabilitation programme the company was about to embark on would be the biggest such programme ever undertaken and was a programme of international significance.
Bord na Móna is planning to invest over €1.5bn in renewable energy development to support Ireland's 70% renewable energy target for electricity and create up to 150 indirect construction jobs.
Reopen
Good to see some genuine plans to create a just transition for these workers.
Good that they will conserve the peat bogs...However are they going to use biomass in the power stations instead.....