Airtricity secures €233m deal in US

Airtricity have secured a $330m (€233m) energy deal in the US at the beginning of an Enterprise Ireland trade mission in the States.

Minister Micheal Martin attended the signing of the agreement by Dublin-based Airtricity and General Electric.

Mr Martin said that, following this deal, Airtricity is now the fifth largest generator of wind power in the US.

Mr Martin said: "Under this deal Airtricity will continue the development of windfarms in Texas with turbines provided by General Electric. The rapid growth of Airtricity has been impressive by any standards. This Irish company now employs 400 people with 15 windfarms in Ireland, Scotland and the United States."

"It is recognized as a major player in the efforts by Texas to switch from traditional energy sources to cleaner energy."