AIB will host its ninth annual Sustainability Conference on November 27th, bringing together customers and thought leaders to explore the theme of “Where our shared ambition meets action”. The conference keynote speaker is award-winning actor, producer and humanitarian advocate Benedict Cumberbatch. He will share his unique perspective on the power of storytelling to drive positive change, exploring how creativity and advocacy can help address global sustainability challenges.
In addition, AIB chief executive Colin Hunt and Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, will explore the intersection of leadership, sustainability and community impact. They will highlight how shared ambition can drive meaningful action, with insights into the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a low-carbon future.
“Sustainability is no longer just about asking customers to do the right thing, but recognising that the transition to a low-carbon economy is under way and AIB is here to support them,” says AIB’s head of business banking, South East, Niall Mackey. “That responsibility to support our customers can also be seen through our low-cost business sustainability loan and our Steps to Sustainability guide for SMEs.”
One customer benefiting from AIB support is energy efficiency technologies provider Greenvolt Next Ireland. The company specialises in renewable energy technologies including wind turbines, biomass boilers, district heating, solar panels and battery storage for industrial, commercial and agricultural clients.
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Founded in 2005 by brothers Owen and Cormac Power, Greenvolt Next Ireland has grown steadily over the past two decades. That expansion has accelerated as an increasing number of businesses seek to transition to renewable energy sources. In 2023, the firm entered into a partnership with Greenvolt Group, bringing world-class expertise and global reach to the delivery of large-scale renewable energy projects across Ireland and the UK.
Greenvolt Group, headquartered in Portugal, is pursuing a pan-European strategy focused on both distributed generation and utility-scale renewable energy projects. Active in over a dozen countries, the group operates under its Greenvolt Next platform to deliver decentralised solar and energy efficiency solutions in Ireland, France, Italy, the UK, Romania and other markets. Its utility-scale arm develops large wind, solar and battery storage projects across more than European markets, leveraging a model of strategic partnerships and asset rotation to drive growth and reinvestment.
That European footprint positions Greenvolt Next Ireland as part of a much wider integrated renewables platform, giving it access to international expertise, economies of scale and a pipeline of technologies and best practices to accelerate the energy transition here in Ireland. As a result, the company has set ambitious goals to deliver over 1GW of renewable energy by the end of the decade, supporting both grid-connected and on-site generation for commercial and industrial customers.
“Our deep expertise, built over the past 20 years, spans the design and implementation of robust energy solutions that help customers reduce emissions, boost efficiency and meet sustainability targets with confidence,” says Greenvolt Next Ireland chief executive Owen Power.
According to Power, the company offers two primary financial models for structuring renewable-energy projects: power purchase agreements (PPAs) and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts.
Under a PPA, Greenvolt Next agrees to sell the energy output of the installation to the customer at a predetermined rate over a fixed term. This allows the customer to avoid upfront capital investment and shifts operational and market risks to Greenvolt Next as the project developer.
Under the EPC model, Greenvolt Next takes full responsibility for the design, procurement, build and commissioning of the system, while the customer typically makes the capital investment or arranges project finance, retaining the energy and all related revenue streams after commissioning.
“Our relationship with AIB is not just financial; its commitment to sustainability and understanding and knowledge of sustainable business has been invaluable,” says Power. “We have the confidence and resources to accelerate our growth and help shape a cleaner, brighter future for our customers and communities. The opportunities ahead have never been more exciting and we are ready to set new benchmarks for renewable energy in Ireland.”
Mackey said: “AIB is proud to support customers such as Greenvolt Next Ireland as they work to provide cutting-edge energy-efficient technologies."
You can register for the ninth annual AIB Sustainability Conference at aibsustainabilityconference.ie and sign up to the new event platform for exclusive access to the event link, educational content and sustainability insights.
