The domestic gas and electricity market is set for a shake-up early next year when a new player starts offering what it promise will be “significantly discounted” electricity and gas to consumers.

Energia says it will create 100 new jobs over the next 12 months as part of its planned entry into the residential electricity and gas market.

Part of the major energy company Viridian Group, it currently provides power and gas to over 65,000 business customers nationwide.

Based in Dublin and Cork, the new jobs will be in the management, sales, marketing and operational areas of the business. Energia has already recruited 20 of the new positions as part of its preparations to enter the residential market.

It has committed investments of €1.2 billion to its Irish energy infrastructure since 1999 and operates two major power stations in Dublin and is capable of supplying up to 20 per cent of Ireland’s electricity needs. It also has enough wind power in stock to supply 550,000 homes.

It has 28 per cent market share of the business electricity and gas market on an all–island basis.