Business services group Aramark Ireland expects to increase employment in its energy management division by 25 people over the next 18 months as demand for energy efficiency grows.

The company is expanding its energy management division after completing a number of significant projects for groups including Forfás, Liffey Meats and the Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital.

Chief executive Donal O’Brien said the company’s “green business” was set to grow exponentially as the EU moves towards being a low-carbon economy.

“Realising the energy efficiency potential of buildings is central to the EU’s energy efficiency policy and we anticipate growing demand for our building retrofit services which will create additional employment,” Mr O’Brien said.

He said the jobs would be located in Ireland primarily. The company is involved in a major energy efficiency programme at 250 State buildings on behalf of the OPW in an exercise designed to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent.