A Dublin energy firm is to go head-to-head with NIE Energy to sell electricity in Northern Ireland.

Airtricity, owned by Scottish and Southern Energy, is to enter the Northern Irish electricity market hot on the heels of its announcement this month that it is to become a player in the Republic of Ireland’s gas market.

Airtricity says that its entry into the NI market will create 75 jobs. Managing director Kevin Greenhorn: “Consumers want competition as it will not only drive down their energy costs, but also provide families across Northern Ireland with the real choice and real savings in their electricity supply that they have been anticipating for so long.”

Energy Minister Arlene Foster said the move by Airtricity was “proof that the Single Electricity Market has delivered transparency and increased electricity supply competition for domestic customers in Northern Ireland”.

Airtricity was formed in 1997 as Eirtricity and its core business is wind power construction. It is currently involved in building the Greater Gabbard wind farm, currently the largest turbine facility under construction in the world.

The company is also carrying out a feasibility study into building a 13-turbine wind farm in County Sligo, Ireland.