Nolan calls for clarity on Derrygreenagh 'energy park'

Independent TD for Offaly, Carol Nolan, is seeking immediate clarity from the Government and Bord na Móna (BnM) on large-scale energy development plans for former peatlands in the Midlands, particularly the proposed 3,000-hectare site 'energy park' centred on Derrygreenagh.

Deputy Nolan said she remains deeply sceptical about the proposals, which include potential co-location of a major data centre for Amazon alongside renewable energy infrastructure and back-up gas generation.

While not opposing genuine sustainable investment, she stressed that any support would depend on enforceable commitments to deliver real, long-term jobs for Offaly people.

“As someone who has consistently highlighted the challenges facing Offaly and the Midlands following BnM's shift away from peat production, I remain deeply sceptical about these grand 'energy park' announcements,” she said.

“We have heard similar promises before of transformative job creation and economic revival, only to see many local workers left in limbo, with commitments often amounting to little more than hot air and empty rhetoric.

“While I support genuine, sustainable investment that delivers meaningful, long-term employment for people in Offaly and the wider Midlands, rather than temporary construction roles or highly specialised positions that may not benefit local communities, I have serious concerns about the mix of elements in this project.

“It is well known that large-scale data centres such as the proposed Amazon facility bring their own issues around grid strain, high energy demand, and the risk that much of the economic benefit leaks out of the region rather than creating broad-based local jobs.

“My view is that BnM has a responsibility to deliver real opportunities for the workers and families who built this company over generations, not just corporate partnerships that sound impressive on paper.

“Any support for this project would depend on concrete, enforceable commitments, and on local hiring, skills training, community benefits, and transparency on long-term job numbers and quality, not the vague aspirations we’ve seen too often.

“I will continue to scrutinise these plans closely on behalf of my constituents and push for developments that puts Offaly, rural Ireland and meaningful job creation first," Deputy Nolan stated.

Deputy Nolan said the people of Offaly, who sacrificed so much during the peat era and the subsequent transition, deserve far more than speculative announcements.

She called on Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, BnM and the relevant State agencies to provide full details on projected local employment numbers, skills programmes targeted at Offaly workers, and legally binding community benefit funds before any further progress is made on the Derrygreenagh site or other proposed energy parks.