Energy firm SSE Airtricity has scooped a deal, worth over £100 million, to provide electricity and gas to Northern Ireland's Health & Social Care Trusts (HSC).

The contract is the largest energy supply contract ever to come to the Northern Ireland market.

SSE Airtricity now supplies 'dual fuel' natural gas and 100% renewable electricity to the Belfast, Western, South Eastern and Northern Trusts as well as the Health & Social Care Board and the Business Services Organisation. The deal also sees SSE Airtricity supplying natural gas to the Southern Trust.

Minister for Health, Michelle O'Neill MLA, said: "This new contract will see electricity supplied from 100% renewable sources, flexibility for organisations in how they procure their energy and savings in excess of £4m on electricity during the first year of the contract.

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"The health and social care sector can play a leading role in reducing carbon emissions and encouraging healthier lifestyles to combat climate change, save money, and achieve health benefits.

"By pooling our resources and using the buying power of the entire health sector, we have managed to drive down costs by 20% and contribute to the well-being of our planet by using renewable, sustainable and flexible energy sources."

Andrew Greer, SSE Airtricity General Manager (NI), said: "All of us at SSE Airtricity are immensely proud to be providing the power that helps over 70,000 HSC health professionals and staff to care for the more than 1.5 million patients of Health & Social Care Trust services each year.

"As a result of this major public sector contract win, SSE Airtricity is now providing 100 per cent green electricity as well as gas to all HSC Trusts across the region bar one, along with energy to other HSC organisations.

"By switching to SSE Airtricity's clean, green electricity supply the Trusts will dramatically improve their carbon footprints by together eliminating over 225,000 tonnes of harmful CO2 emissions."

(CD/JP)