Energy firm to give Midlands job boost

There was a jobs boost for the Midlands today as an energy company unveiled plans to export electricity to the UK.

Mainstream Renewable Power said the plans have the potential to create thousands of new jobs in Ireland.

The Midlands is set to be involved in a multi-billion euro project by supplying the UK with up to 5,000MW of wind energy from 2017.

Mainstream Renewable Power has already invested more than €500,000 to secure a grid connection to the UK, and has identified 900 eligible landowners in the midlands to site the wind turbines.

Up to 400 wind turbines would be needed for the project, which would lead to jobs in construction, manufacturing, operations and maintenance.