Leading German Wind Energy Company to establish operation in Kerry

DUBLIN, - 1st June 2010: Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe T.D. and ENERCON Windfarmservice Ireland Ltd. today announced that ENERCON, one of the largest manufacturers of wind turbines in the world, is to establish a technical services operation in Tralee, Co. Kerry, creating 30 new technical and management positions over the next 2 years.  This strategy is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

ENERCON, founded in 1984 in Aurich, Germany, is the world’s leading supplier of direct driven wind turbines with 330kW to 7.5MW rated power and produces its own rotor blades, generators, towers and other components for its turbines: More than 12,000 employees are working for ENERCON worldwide. The company has  installed 197 turbines with about 290 MW in Ireland. Main concentrations of turbines are in Kerry, Wexford and Donegal.  The company initially entered the Irish market 1998 and currently employs 30 technicians in three service stations to maintain and service its equipment.  Today’s announcement will see the company create an Irish headquarters in order to service Ireland and the UK, creating employment opportunities in technical and management roles.
 
Minister O’Keeffe today announced 2 investments in Tralee, one from ENERCON and a second 25 job investment by Straker. Commenting on the announcements he said, ‘These investments are important indicators of Ireland’s economic recovery and our ability to attract world-leading firms to the south-western region.’

‘The town is well served by a wide skills base in Kerry Technology Park, good transport links and high-calibre graduates from Tralee Institute of Technology – three crucial deciders in the process of drawing firms such as ENERCON and Straker to Tralee.’ said the Minister.
 
Commenting on the announcement, Barry O’Leary, CEO, IDA Ireland said:  “This is an excellent investment for Ireland, from one of the largest wind turbine manufacturers in the world.  This investment reflects Ireland’s reputation as a major hub for investment in the rapidly developing Clean Technology sector.  Major overseas investors have already recognised the advantages of locating such investments here, and Ireland also has a rapidly growing indigenous clean technology industry. I am delighted that ENERCON will join this base of innovative companies carrying out strategically important Clean Technology operations here in Ireland”.

C. Klimek from ENERCON Windfarmservice Ireland said:  “We are glad to increase our presence in Ireland to a level where we can employ local specialists for all key roles. We already have an Irish turbine installation crew and recently employed several site managers. Local staff is the key to efficient work and high customer satisfaction.

Renewable Energy and the Windindustry in particular have a high potential for safe and stable employment in a high tech environment.”

 
For further information:

For all public and recruitment queries please contact: service.ie@enercon.de

ENERCON GmbH
Volker Uphoff, Press and PR Manager, Tel: +49 4941 927-0, Fax: +49 4941 927 109
Email: volker.uphoff@enercon.de

IDA Ireland
Thomas McEvoy, Press and PR Manager, Tel: +353 (0) 1 6034255, Mob: +353 (0) 87 7426684, Email: thomas.mcevoy@ida.ie

Gillian Lawless, Press Officer, Tel: +353 (0) 1 6034095, Mob: +353 (0) 87 9050699,
Email: gillian.lawless@ida.ie