Bord Gáis Energy has pledged to buy the electricity generated by solar power plants that Amarenco plans building in Co Cork.
Independent player Amarenco is building eight solar farms in Cork with the capacity to produce up to five megawatts of electricity each, enough in total to power 8,000 homes.
Bord Gáis Energy has backed the plan by committing to buying the electricity from the farms, once they start generating, to sell it on to its own customers.
Amarenco is an independent business that builds and develops green electricity projects.
Its executive chairman, John Mullins, was previously chief executive of Bord Gáis, when it was a State company, before its sale to current owner, Centrica.
Dave Kirwan, managing director of Bord Gáis Energy, said the company was committed to supporting the growth of renewables in the Republic.
“Our partnership with Amarenco not only supports this ambition but also contributes to decarbonising the energy sector,” he added.
Mr Mullins said Amarenco hoped the deal would be the first of many with Bord Gáis Energy.
"We already have a successful partnership with the parent of Bord Gáis Energy, Centrica, in Spain, " he noted.
