Intel Ireland said that all of the electricity supplied to its Leixlip campus, which has the biggest power need in the State, was generated from Irish renewable sources last year.

“We are doing this as part of our multifaceted approach to environmental awareness and as part of Intel’s commitment to being a global energy sustainability champion,” said Eamonn Sinnott, general manager of Intel Ireland.

“We hope that our decision to go green will help to further stimulate the renewable energy market and encourage other businesses to follow suit.”

Staff of 4,900

Intel’s 360-acre campus in Leixlip in Co Kildare is home to one of the world’s most advanced manufacturing processes. The group employs 4,900 people in Ireland.

Ireland is the first major Intel location outside of the US to have bought 100 per cent certifiable renewable energy.

The development comes as pension funds and other major institutions globally are putting greater emphasis on companies’ environmental credentials when screening for investments.