CCI members total energy costs could fall by €8m

The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) and energy supplier Energia have announced a new affinity deal that has the potential to shave approximately €8m off the combined electricity costs of 11,000 chamber members.

Energia a member of the Viridian Group, is one of Ireland’s largest independent energy suppliers and can supply up to 10% of Ireland’s total electricity requirements.

Announcing the alliance, CCI President Mark Staunton said: "CCI’s recent survey of business confidence amongst small and medium sized enterprises for 2004, showed that rising business costs were the number one concern.

"By using the buying power of the 11,000 strong chamber network, it was able to negotiate a deal through which chamber members will significantly reduce their business energy costs and thus help them maintain their competitiveness," Staunton added.

Gary Ryan, Sales and Marketing Director of Energia commented: "This agreement underpins our commitment to providing the best energy packages, including green and renewable energy to the entire business community as well as to SMEs.

"In the deregulating energy market, Irish businesses can achieve considerable and ultimately valuable advantages in tendering out their electricity requirements on a competitive basis," he added.