Fuel supplier Certa has acquired solar and renewable energy specialist Alternative Energy Ireland.
Fuel supplier Certa has acquired solar and renewable energy specialists Alternative Energy Ireland.
The DCC plc owned business said the acquisition is part of its drive to become Ireland’s most progressive energy company.
“They share our passion for delivering innovative new products and solutions that allow businesses and households to decarbonise and to make greener choices to reduce their energy consumption and energy costs”
It said the acquisition will enable Certa’s commercial, industrial and domestic customers to make greener, sustainable choices and to transition to renewable energy solutions that reduce their carbon emissions and lower their energy costs.
The renewable future
Alternative Energy Ireland (AEI) has been in operation since 2007 and are Ireland’s longest established renewable energy specialists. They design and install renewable energy systems including Solar PV panels that generate electricity, Solar Thermal Panels that heat water, Heat Recovery Ventilation systems and home heat pumps.
“Certa is delighted to acquire such an established and progressive business and we are excited to work with the AEI team,” said Andrew Graham, managing director, Certa Ireland.
“They share our passion for delivering innovative new products and solutions that allow businesses and households to decarbonise and to make greener choices to reduce their energy consumption and energy costs”.
AEI has helped thousands of homes, businesses and farms to become more sustainable and they have designed and installed Solar PV systems, LED lighting systems and EV charging facilities for a wide range of commercial customers, including Adare Manor, Woodies, Chadwicks and Stormont Castle.
Certa, which is a new brand operating in the fuel, home, business and lubricants space, has a vision to become Ireland’s most progressive energy company. Its network of 39 unmanned, pay@pump forecourts is the largest of its kind in Ireland. It also operates 22 home heating depots across the country.
The business says it is committed to reducing its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner. Its acquisition of AEI will also support its own energy transition programme, including the installation of solar PV panels that will enable more of its forecourts to generate their own power.
Certa has already transitioned its entire fleet of 100 delivery vehicles from diesel to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) which can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%. It has also helped other Irish businesses and events to decarbonise and to transition to the renewable fuel, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), John Sisk & Son Ltd., M50 Truck and Van Centre, The National Ploughing Championships, the Irish Open and Electric Picnic.
It has already begun the rollout of HVO as a domestic product with the installation of Ireland’s first HVO pump at the Certa Lee Tunnel forecourt in Cork. More HVO pumps are planned for later this year.
“We are excited to join the Certa family and to be part of the wider DCC plc group which has a progressive vision for energy,” said Steve Bray, founder and managing director of Alternative Energy Ireland.
“There is a growing demand for renewable energy solutions that help customers to lower their carbon footprint, to become more sustainable and to save money. Our combined expertise and ambition empowers these customers to make changes that benefit their businesses, homes and the environment.”
Main image at top: Andrew Graham, Managing Director, Certa Ireland and Steven Bray, Founder and Managing Director, Alternative Energy Ireland (AEI). Photo Credit: Sean Brosnan (Brosnan Photography)
