14 jobs to be created at Bord Gáis Energy’s Monksland facility

14 jobs are set to be created at Bord Gáis Energy's facility in Monksland following its selection as a location for the company’s Power Global Control Centre.

Bord Gáis Energy owner Centrica revealed that the centre will provide operational oversight of Centrica's assets in Ireland, the UK, Belgium and Sweden, including flexible thermal generation, battery energy storage and solar.

The selection of Bord Gáis Energy’s site in Monksland will create 14 highly skilled roles in the Midlands, strengthening Ireland’s operational capability in energy system management. It builds on the region’s longstanding role in power generation and reflects how the energy transition is creating new, future focused careers in the sector as part of a just transition.

The new control centre positions Monksland and Athlone at the heart of Centrica’s international operations and reflects how strategic integration is translating into real infrastructure, operational capability and long-term value for both Ireland and the UK.

From Athlone, the centre will support the secure, efficient operation of assets that help balance electricity systems during periods of peak demand and variable renewable generation. It will begin operating Bord Gáis Energy’s Irish assets from mid-2026, with Centrica Power’s UK assets transitioning in phases during Q2 and Q3 2026.

The announcement was made to coincide with Centrica’s Chief Executive Chris O’Shea’s participation at the UK & Ireland Summit in Cork on Thursday evening, featuring An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer.

The decision positions Ireland as a core operations centre for the real-time management of major power assets across multiple international markets.

Centrica’s €1 billion investment programme is strengthening Ireland’s energy system at scale: supporting security of supply; enabling greater integration of renewable electricity and underpinning the delivery of up to approximately 1GW of flexible power capacity to meet Ireland’s growing energy needs.

Chris O’Shea, Group Chief Executive of Centrica, said: “Ireland is a market we know well and continue to invest in with confidence. It is a market where policy ambition is increasingly matched by delivery, creating the conditions needed to invest in critical energy infrastructure. Centrica’s investment in Ireland shows what is possible when the UK and Ireland work together: secure energy today, faster progress to net zero, and long-term economic resilience for both countries.” 

Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, said: “Ireland’s priority is to deliver a clean energy transition while maintaining security of supply and affordability. Investments like this bring highly skilled operational capability into the heart of our energy system, support regional development, and help ensure the infrastructure needed to deliver a just transition.” 

Kara Owen, British Ambassador to Ireland, said: “Today’s announcement underlines the genuine momentum driving the integrated economic relationship between the UK and Ireland. The news from Centrica and Bord Gáis Energy is a powerful example of that partnership in action. I warmly welcome this significant investment, which shows how close cooperation can translate into real infrastructure, high quality jobs, and strengthened energy security across both our islands. This is the kind of practical, future focused collaboration that benefits people and businesses in both countries. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this investment in the months and years ahead, and to deepening the UK–Ireland economic partnership even further.” 

Dave Kirwan, Country Chairperson of Bord Gáis Energy and Managing Director of Centrica Power, said: “Locating the Centrica Power Global Control Centre in Athlone, alongside our soon to be commissioned 100MW flexible peaking plant, brings realtime operational control and critical infrastructure together on one site. Flexible generation plays a vital role in maintaining security of supply and enabling greater integration of renewables. This investment shows how close collaboration between our UK and Irish teams is delivering secure energy, high quality jobs and practical progress as the energy system transitions.”

Bord Gáis Energy is one of Ireland’s leading energy supply and services providers.