Centrica has confirmed that Ireland will host the Centrica Power Global Control Centre, which will be located at Bord Gáis Energy’s Monksland facility in Athlone, Co Roscommon. The move places Ireland at the core of Centrica’s real-time operations for major power assets across several international markets.

The news was announced to coincide with Group Chief Executive Chris O'Shea's appearance at the UK & Ireland Summit in Cork, attended by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer.

From Athlone, the centre will manage Centrica Power assets in Ireland, the UK, Belgium and Sweden, covering flexible thermal generation, battery energy storage and solar. Centrica’s €1 billion investment programme is strengthening Ireland’s energy system by supporting security of supply, enabling greater renewable integration and underpinning delivery of up to approximately 1GW of flexible power capacity to meet growing demand.

Selecting the Bord Gáis Energy site will create 14 highly skilled positions in the Midlands, enhancing Ireland’s capabilities in energy system management. It builds on the region’s established role in power generation and reflects how the transition to cleaner energy is fostering new, future-focused careers as part of a just transition.

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Operating from Athlone, the team will help ensure the secure and efficient running of assets that balance electricity systems during peak demand and variable renewable output. The centre will begin operating Bord Gáis Energy's Irish assets from mid-2026, with Centrica Power’s UK assets transferring in phases during Q2 and Q3 2026.

Chris O'Shea, Group Chief Executive of Centrica, said: "Ireland is a market we know well and continue to invest in with confidence. It is a market where policy ambition is increasingly matched by delivery, creating the conditions needed to invest in critical energy infrastructure. Centrica’s investment in Ireland shows what is possible when the UK and Ireland work together: secure energy today, faster progress to net zero, and long-term economic resilience for both countries."

Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, said: "Ireland's priority is to deliver a clean energy transition while maintaining security of supply and affordability. Investments like this bring highly skilled operational capability into the heart of our energy system, support regional development, and help ensure the infrastructure needed to deliver a just transition."

Dave Kirwan, Country Chairperson of Bord Gáis Energy and Managing Director of Centrica Power, said: "Locating the Centrica Power Global Control Centre in Athlone, alongside our soontobe-commissioned 100MW flexible peaking plant, brings realtime operational control and critical infrastructure together on one site. Flexible generation plays a vital role in maintaining security of supply and enabling greater integration of renewables. This investment shows how close collaboration between our UK and Irish teams is delivering secure energy, high quality jobs and practical progress as the energy system transitions".