http://esb.ie/main/press/index.jsp Press Releases from the ESB en-ie Copyright ©; ESB Tue, 28th May 2011 16:00:00 http://www.esb.ie/img/logo.png http://www.esb.ie 88 31 http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release458.jsp 24th May: The winning schools of An Taisce Green Schools Energy Project sponsored by ESB Electric Ireland were announced at an event in Tailors Hall, Dublin attended by Minister of State for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Fergus O Dowd. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release457.jsp 18th May: The Minister for Transport, Mr Leo Varadkar T.D. and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have congratulated ESB and Kildare-based Telecoms and Power company KTL who were presented with prestigious PRAISE Awards by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) in Brussels today, Wednesday 18th May, 2011. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release456.jsp 28th April: Thirty service stations will be providing fast charging by the end of 2011. Journeys between inter-urban centres now possible with fast charging http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release454.jsp 15th April: ESB Electric Ireland, on its entry to the competitive residential energy market, launched a range of price plans earlier this month. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release453.jsp 8th April: Investment will lead to the installation of on-site turbines with large energy users. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release452.jsp 4th April: ESB Electric Ireland introduces price plans offering savings of up to 17per cent on electricity unit prices and 6per cent on gas unit prices - potential average savings of 190euro* over the coming year. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release451.jsp 29th March: ESB Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil launched its 2011 programme to the sound of music thanks to aspiring musicians; eleven year-old twins Emily Jane and Isabel Doyle who will compete in piano and violin categories of the Festival and seven year-old Edward Brown who plays the piano and is the youngest competitor. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release450.jsp 28th March: ESB International (ESBI) has applied to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) for foreshore exploration licences in the first step towards developing a 5 Megawatt wave energy project off the west coast of Ireland. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release449.jsp 25th March: Earth Hour will see Croke Park plunge into darkness as part of the ESB Electric Ireland Cul Green celebrations http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release448.jsp 23rd March: The Chief Executive of ESB, Padraig McManus, has today (Wednesday, March 23rd 2011) informed the Company's Board that he intends to retire from the post where he has served for nine years. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release446.jsp 4th March: ESB welcomes today's (4th March 2011) announcement by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) to end regulation of residential electricity prices offered by its supply business ESB Electric Ireland* from 4th April 2011. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release447.jsp 4th March: ESB Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil, Ireland's biggest classical music festival, is set to showcase the talent of over 4,000 musicians from all over Ireland at the annual festival from 4th to 15th April inclusive. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release445.jsp 21st February: Sparks of Excitement as Electric Avenue Demonstrates the Power of Electric Cars. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release444.jsp 18th February: ESB Networks has won a prestigious international award for its implementation of a major Smart Networks initiative, which facilitates the introduction of more renewables on the Electricity Grid. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release443.jsp 16th February: Kildare athlete aiming to get 2011 off to good start at Indoor Championships. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release442.jsp 3rd February: ESB to energise Under 20s Rugby ESB today announced a three year renewal of its sponsorship of the Under 20s Rugby Six Nations Championship Home Series. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release440.jsp 27th January: ESB today, January 27th, 2011, announced that it has for the first time obtained formal credit ratings from three rating agencies; Fitch, Moodys and Standard and Poors. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release441.jsp 24th January: ESB and The Irish Hockey Association were in UCD today to showcase the progress that has been made by the Irish Senior Womens Hockey Squad since the creation of the Central Preparation Programme (CPP). http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release439.jsp 22nd December: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) has received a welcome boost for its Annual Appeal with an immediate 1 million Euro donation from ESB. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release438.jsp 21st December: ESB has today (December 21) successfully concluded the acquisition of NIE, the Northern Ireland electricity networks business, from the Arcapita Bank-owned Viridian Group for c. £1.2 billion. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release437.jsp 17th December: Irish Wave Energy Company Wins Green Machines Award 2010 & Tapadoo Wins ESB ecars Electric Dreams Competition At The Science Gallery. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release436.jsp 15th December: ESB is introducing a new brand name for its energy supply businesses and is pleased to announce this new brand name as "Electric Ireland". http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release435.jsp 9th December: ESB ecars has launched a new website - www.esb.ie/ecars - as a vital communication tool to create awareness about electric cars, educate people about its benefits and position Ireland as a world leader in ecar development. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release434.jsp 6th December: ESB Novusmodus LP, the cleantech and renewable energy fund, has agreed an investment of up to £4.5 million in Bioflame Limited, the developer of small-scale (2.5MW electrical) generation plants. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release433.jsp 2nd December: PSA Peugeot Citroen has today (Thursday, December 2nd), introduced two new electric cars to Ireland, as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Irish Government and ESB. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release432.jsp 1st December: ESB, Dublin Institute of Technology and Cork Institute of Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the progression of up to 200 electrical apprentices through to a third level engineering degree. http://www.esb.ie/main/ecars/news-and-events/press-releases/sandyford-charge-point.jsp 23rd November: Sandyford's first charge point for electric vehicles installed http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release424.jsp 11th November: Fourteen female transition year students from secondary schools across Dublin will have the opportunity to explore the life of a working engineer during the third annual Women in Engineering programme hosted by ESB International (ESBI) from the 9th to the 11th November http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release423.jsp 8th November: ESB Telecoms Ltd has announced its collaboration with Geo Networks Ltd in the UK to operate a new subsea fibre optic cable connecting Clonshaugh, Dublin to Anglesey, Wales which will go live in 2011. http://www.esb.ie/main/sustainability/ESB-ecars-news-011.jsp 1st November: Winner will be given the chance to drive an ecar for one month and to participate in the ESB ecars trial. http://www.esb.ie/main/sustainability/ESB-ecars-news-009.jsp 28th October: Research reveals 56% of Irish people want to make carbon saving pledges and save energy with Cul Green! http://www.esb.ie/main/sustainability/ESB-ecars-news-010.jsp 18th October: ESB ecars delivers high visibility vests. to junior infants in Sacred Heart, National School, Ballygall and St Oliver Plunkett School, Malahide. http://www.esb.ie/main/sustainability/ESB-ecars-news-008.jsp 18th October: Today (Monday, October 18th) ESB ecars with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor, Michael O'Connell launched Cork's Electric Car charge point at South Mall. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release422.jsp 18th October: ESB has announced today (October 18th) the provision of 1 million Euro over the next 12 months towards suicide prevention programmes and care for the homeless. http://www.esb.ie/main/main/sustainability/ESB-ecars-news-007.jsp 13th October: Martin Curley, Director, Intel Labs Europe and Senior Principal Engineer, Intel Corporation and Paul Mulvaney, Managing Director, ESB ecars launched an electric charge point at the Intel Ireland campus in Leixlip. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release421.jsp 29th September: Coillte and ESB Wind Development today announce that planning permission has been granted for their joint initiative to develop a 27.5 megawatt wind farm at Raheenleagh in Co. Wicklow. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release420.jsp 28th September: Ireland's older population are a huge, but sometimes over-looked, resource which can help society during the current economic crisis President Mary McAleese was told today at ESB Head Office where she joined celebrations to mark Age Action's Positive Ageing Week. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release419.jsp 15th September: ESB has entered into a new credit facilities agreement with a syndicate of 15 international and Irish banks. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release418.jsp 14th September: ESB Novusmodus, the cleantech and renewable energy fund, has agreed to invest 2.5 million euro in SELC, the developer and manufacturer of electronic lighting controls and photocells based in Mayo, Ireland. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release417.jsp 9th September: ESB International (ESBI) has entered an agreement with the pioneering tidal energy company Marine Current Turbines (MCT) to develop an initial phase of a 100MW tidal energy project off the Antrim coast in Northern Ireland. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release416.jsp 1st September: ESB confirms that there will be no change in its energy prices for regulated residential customers from 1st October 2010. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release415.jsp 24th August: As parents and children around the country prepare for the start of the school year, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and ESB today (August 24th) announced the distribution of 80,000 high visibility vests to every child starting school this September. http://www.esb.ie/main/sustainability/ESB-ecars-news-005.jsp 17th August: ESB ecars with the Mayor of Galway, Michael Crowe launched Galway's first Electric Car charge point at Woodquay on Monday August 16th. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release414.jsp 6th August: ESB is to begin construction this week on a new wind farm in Co Derry. The project, Curryfree wind farm, is located between Dunamanagh and New Buildings and work is due to be completed by August 2011. http://www.esb.ie/main/sustainability/ESB-ecars-news-004.jsp 6th August: Participants of Ireland's first electric car trial are plugging in and charging up at home as ESB domestic charge points are rolled out nationwide. Conor Faughnan, AA Ireland is taking part in the study and is currently testing the Mitsuibishi iMiEV electric car, as well as a domestic charge point which was installed in his home last week. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release413.jsp 30th July: ESB is recommending a dividend of 94.4 million euro for 2009. This, plus a special interim dividend of 185 million euro approved by the ESB Board last October, brings the total dividend paid by ESB in 2009 to 279.4 million euro. Over the past eight years, the Company has paid dividends of 815 euro million to the Exchequer. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release412.jsp 20th July: ESB Statement welcoming the Report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release411.jsp 7th July: Conditional agreement reached for ESB to acquire NIE, the Northern Ireland electricity networks business, from Viridian Group (Viridian) http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release410.jsp 6th July: ESB Novus Modus, the cleantech and renewable energy fund, has invested 3 million Euro in Intune Networks, the Dublin-based developer of high-performance laser technology for the telecoms industry. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release409.jsp 15th June: ESB International (ESBI) has entered an agreement with one of Europe's largest electricity utilities, Vattenfall, to develop ocean wave energy projects off the west coast of Ireland. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release408.jsp 14th June: EURELECTRIC Conference examines the challenges of a "New Energy World". http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release407.jsp 2nd June: ESB has today (Wed, June 2nd) announced it has acquired the fully licensed Mynydd y Betws Wind Farm project in South Wales from the Welsh energy company, Eco2. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release406.jsp 31st May: The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, today (Monday, May 31st) officially opened ESB's 435 new megawatts gas-fired station at Aghada, Co Cork. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release405.jsp 26th May: The Board of ESB confirmed the appointment of Donal Flynn as its new Group Finance Director. The Board also appointed Paul Stapleton as its Group Treasurer. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release404.jsp 24th May: Irish Government, ESB and Mitsubishi Motors, MC (Automobile) Europe and MMC Commercials sign a Memorandum of Understanding to further promote ecar industry http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release403.jsp 4th May: ESB confirms that it is in discussions with Arcapita in relation to the possible acquisition (subject to requisite shareholder approvals) of Northern Ireland Electricity, the transmission and distribution business of Viridian Group Holdings Limited. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release402.jsp 21st April: This is a significant milestone in the development of a competitive retail electricity market in Ireland and is a positive step for customers. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release401.jsp 20th April: The 2010 ESB GAA Minor Championships were officially launched today in Croke Park by ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus, and Uachtaran Cumann Luthchleas Gael, Criostoir O Cuana. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release400.jsp 12th April: The Irish Government, the ESB, the nation's largest electricity utility, and the Renault-Nissan Alliance today announced a comprehensive partnership to position Ireland as a European leader in electric transport. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release399.jsp 26th March: The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan and ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, today (Friday, March 26th) launched the country's first Electric Vehicle charge points. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release398.jsp 15th March: ESB Feis Ceoil 2010 opens today and runs to 26th March. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release397.jsp 8th March: Novus Modus today (8th March) announces the opening of its London office and the launch of ESB Novus Modus in the UK. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release396.jsp 8th March: ESB Novus Modus, the cleantech and renewable energy fund, announces the creation of Airvolution Energy, a new venture that will develop, construct and operate small onshore wind projects in the UK. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release395.jsp 4th March: ESB Feis Ceoil 2010, now in its 114th year, was launched today (Thurs, 4th March) in the National Concert Hall, Dublin. Two thousand musicians and singers from all over Ireland will take part in over 180 competitions later this month. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release394.jsp 8th February: On Friday, 5th February, Paul Mulvaney, MD, Electric Vehicles ESB and Sean Hegarty of ESB Wind Development visited Knockanean National School in Ennis to give a talk on Renewable Energy and Climate Change. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release393.jsp 8th February: ESB has announced that 2 of it's Directors are to take up positions in the private sector. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release392.jsp 3rd February: Up to 550 Secondary Schools and 28,000 Transition Year students stand to benefit from a comprehensive business skills course sponsored by ESB Customer Supply. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release391.jsp 28th January: ESB-Scottish and Southern Energy open €500 Million power station in Southampton. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release390.jsp 8th December: The report to Cork City Council on Monday, December 7th, confirms that ESB issued warnings relating to the unprecedented flooding on the River Lee on November 19th and 20th. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release389.jsp 6th December: Water levels in Lough Derg have reduced by a further 3 cm overnight (since Saturday, 5th). The discharge rate from Parteen Weir has now reduced overnight by a further 7% below yesterday's level. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release388.jsp 5th December: The water levels in Lough Derg have reduced by a further 5cm overnight and are now down to the previous record high level on the lake. The discharge rate from Parteen Weir has been reduced by a further 7% overnight. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release387.jsp 4th December: Water levels in Lough Derg continue to fall and have dropped by a further 5cm in the past 24 hours (since Thursday, 3rd December). The discharge rate from Parteen Weir has reduced overnight by a further 6% . http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release386.jsp 3rd December 2009: The situation on the River Shannon remains unchanged since this morning and the discharge rates throughout the day were maintained while ESB continued to discharge water from Poulaphouca Reservoir today as levels remain high. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release385.jsp 3rd December 2009: Water levels in Lough Derg on the River Shannon continue to fall and have dropped by a further 6cm in the past 24 hours, while reservoir levels above the River Liffey are still high at Poulaphouca. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release384.jsp 2nd December 2009:The situation on the River Shannon remains unchanged since this morning and the discharge rates throughout the day were maintained. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release383.jsp 2nd December 2009:Water levels in Lough Derg continue to fall and have dropped by a further 5cm in the past 24 hours (since Tuesday, 1st December). The discharge rate from Parteen Weir has reduced overnight by a further 6% due to the falling water levels. Subject to weather conditions, it is expected that this discharge rate may reduce further over the next 24 hours. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release382.jsp 1st December 2009:The situation on the River Shannon remains stable and discharge levels at Parteen Weir will be reviewed again in the morning, while flood conditions on the River Liffey continue to abate but water levels remain high in Poulaphouca Reservoir. As a result, ESB continues to discharge water from the Reservoir. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release381.jsp 1st December 2009:Water levels in Lough Derg continue to fall and have dropped by a further 7cm in the past 24 hours. The discharge rate from Parteen Weir has reduced overnight by a further 7% due to the falling water levels. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release380.jsp 30th November 2009:Water levels in Lough Derg remain stable and the situation at Parteen Weir remains unchanged since this morning. There will be no increase in discharge rates overnight at the Weir. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release379.jsp 30th November 2009:The flood on the River Liffey has peaked and is abating slowly. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release378.jsp 30th November 2009:Water levels in Lough Derg have fallen by a further 6cm in the past 24 hours.The discharge rate from Parteen Weir has reduced overnight by 7% due to the falling water levels. It is expected that this discharge rate may reduce further over the next 24 hours. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release376.jsp 29th November 2009:Water levels in Lough Derg fell by 3cm since yesterday. ESB is not increasing the discharge rate from Parteen Weir today, but will continue to discharge at the same rate as yesterday (Saturday 28/11/2009). This discharge rate has remained unchanged for the past three days. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press- elease375.jsp 28th November 2009:Water levels in Lough Derg are stable and fell by approximately 1cm overnight. ESB is not increasing the discharge rate from Parteen Weir today, but will continue to discharge at the same rate as yesterday (Friday 27/11/2009). http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release374.jsp 27th November 2009:ESB confirms that it will continue to maintain the same rate of discharge from Parteen Weir for the rest of the day and overnight. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release373.jsp 27th November 2009:Water levels in Lough Derg continue to rise. However, the rate of increase has fallen with an increase of 1cm recorded over the last 24 hours. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release372.jsp 26th November 2009:Water levels rose again last night in Lough Derg and are at a record high. As a result, discharge levels must be increased today at Parteen Weir. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release371.jsp 25th November 2009:There will be no increase in the current discharge rate overnight. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release370.jsp 25th November 2009:Water levels in Lough Derg have increased significantly overnight to an all time high due to heavy rainfall. The discharge of water from Parteen Weir must be increased today. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release369.jsp 24th November 2009:Water levels in Lough Derg stabilised overnight. However, further rainfall is forecast for today and inflows to the lake remain high. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release368.jsp 24th November 2009:Water levels in Lough Derg stabilised overnight. However, further rainfall is forecast for today and inflows to the lake remain high. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release367.jsp 24th November 2009:ESB personnel have been meeting since early this morning to assess the flood situation on the Shannon. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release366.jsp 23rd November 2009:ESB is issuing an update on the current flood warning, 10am Monday, 23rd November 2009. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release365.jsp 23rd November 2009:Exceptional flooding along the River Shannon - the highest on record - requires ESB to increase the amount of water that must be released at Parteen Weir. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release364.jsp 28th October 2009:ESB Chief xecutive, Padraig McManus, on behalf of Europe's electricity companies, today (Tuesday, Oct 27th) presented the EU Transport Commissioner, Mr Antonio Tajani, with a Declaration designed to pave the way for the widespread introduction of electric vehicles. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release363.jsp 16th October 2009:The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and Airtricity, through its parent company Scottish and Southern Energy plc (SSE), have entered into an agreement for the sale of ESB's public lighting business, ESB Contracts Ltd. (ESBC). http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release362.jsp 15th October 2009:ESB International (ESBI) is to provide the Irish owned wave energy company, Wavebob, with specialist engineering expertise for the development of its wave energy converter over the next two years. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release361.jsp 28th September 2009:The European Investment Bank is to lend up to EUR 500m to help Ireland secure and green its electricity supplies and support Europe's economic recovery. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release360.jsp 25th September 2009: 25th September 2009: President Mary McAleese today launched Age Action's Positive Ageing Week 2009, beginning nine days of exhibitions, dances and parties to celebrate the contribution of older people in Irish society. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release358.jsp 6th August 2009: ESB is not seeking any price increase from next October for domestic electricity customers and is proposing a price reduction of up to 6% for large business customers. This means that cumulatively in 2009, ESB has reduced prices or offset price increases by over 20%. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release357.jsp 29th July 2009: ESB today announced that it has acquired its first wind farms in Britain. The company has purchased the fully licensed Fullabrook Wind Farm in Devon and the operating West Durham Wind Farm in Co. Durham. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release356.jsp 27th July 2009: ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus presents at the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release355.jsp 9th June 2009: ESB International (ESBI) has announced the completion of a major electricity project in South Africa to help power the way for the next year's FIFA World Cup. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release354.jsp 27th May 2009: The Managing Director of ESB Networks, John Shine, has been appointed the new Deputy Chief Executive of ESB. htt ://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release353.jsp 1st May 2009: Croke Park has become one of the first net-carbon neutral stadiums in the world. ESB and the GAA announced today (Friday, May 1st) that the stadium - which attracted almost two million visitors last year - has reduced its carbon footprint by 4,500 tonnes, reaching the standard required to deem it a carbon-neutral venue. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release352.jsp 16th April 2009: ESB today announced a series of initiatives to create and sustain up to 6,000 jobs and training opportunities in the economy. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release351.jsp 7th April 2009: Leading GAA figures gathered in Croke Park today for the launch of ESB's sponsorship of the 2009 Minor Hurling and Football Championships. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release350.jsp 3rd April 2009: \"Government moves forward with plans for electric vehicles - Historic deal will transform Irish transport - Electric vehicles moving from vision to reality\" - Minister Ryan. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release349.jsp 10th February 2009: Four hundred redundant electrical apprentices who have been unable to complete their craft qualification because of the economic downturn are to be offered an opportunity by ESB to finish their training. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release348.jsp 21st November 2008: ESB International today (Friday, November 21st) unveiled plans to significantly expand its business operations in the British energy market. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release347.jsp 15th October 2008, Oviedo, Spain: ESB International has today (October 15th) announced plans to build a major €500 million gas fired power station in Northern Spain. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release346.jsp 22nd September 2008: ESB has developed a partnership with the University of Limerick in a pilot project which introduces the use of bio fuels to ESB's commercial vehicles, one of the largest fleets in the country. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release345.jsp 7th August 2008: A new website to help thousands of Croke Park fans reduce their impact on the environment has been launched by ESB and the GAA. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release344.jsp 31st July 2008: ESB and the Spanish power company, Endesa, have today (Thursday, July 31st ) entered into an agreement in respect of the sale of two power stations, two peaking plants and two sites. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release343.jsp 11th July 2008: An electricity price increase of 17.5% is considerable but, in the context of escalating fuel costs, is to be expected. It is significantly less, however, than the figures for increases recently predicted. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release342.jsp 10th July 2008: ESB has announced that it intends to make a €300 million contribution to help offset anticipated increases in the cost of electricity to customers. http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release341.jsp 26th June 2008: ESB has announced it is to undertake a major native Ash-tree planting initiative to assist the future supply of hurleys. An added benefit of the programme is the carbon-reduction achieved by tree-growing.