The move from the Irish energy giant represents another shift away from conventional power towards renewable energy projects, especially those associated with the wind industry.

The ESB has confirmed the start of the sale of its Corby Power Station in the UK and is discussing purchasing a wind farm in Co Galway, which has an existing corporate power purchase agreement with Amazon. The ESB power plant at Corby in Nottinghamshire has operated since 1993 and consists of a combined-cycle gas turbine facility. 

The sale of the site, along with their interest in the Gusta Gaoithe Wind Farm, was announced recently by local media groups, but ESB is yet to provide further details on the sale or the acquisition of the wind farm. 

Reports suggest that ESB has been collaborating with financial advisors to support the acquisition of more renewable energy assets in Ireland and the UK. It plans to purchase the 101 MW Gusta Gaoithe Wind Farm in Galway from Invis Energy. Invis Energy is a joint venture between Asper Investment Management and Craydell Group. It put the wind farm up for sale last year after completing construction. The ESB also announced that it had recently completed the acquisition of the 52MW Pallas Windfarm in Co Kerry.

Corporate power purchase agreements enable renewable energy projects that may have struggled to reach the building stage to secure finance and begin construction. Amazon has two other renewable energy projects in Ireland, including a wind farm in Co Cork and another in Co Donegal. The three wind sites will generate over 670,000 MW/hrs of renewable energy for the Irish grid every year, equating to the energy required to power approximately 160,000 properties yearly. 

Amazon recently said it had invested over £20 billion in Ireland since establishing its base in 2004. In just the last year, Amazon invested over £2.8 billion in Ireland.

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