Tag: PRM

Cork Airport to deliver Ireland’s largest solar-powered carport

Cork Airport has announced that it will deliver Ireland’s largest solar-powered carport, in conjunction with Greenvolt Next. A solar carport is a dual-purpose structure, where a canopy is being constructed and fitted with a roof of photovoltaic (PV) panels. The solar carport will provide shelter for parked cars in the Holiday Blue car park while also generating up to 20% of the airport’s electricity needs into the future.

The landmark project, which is expected to be completed in August 2027, has been grant supported by the Department of Transport and Department of Climate, Environment and Energy. Minister Darragh O’Brien TD and Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer TD attended the contract signing by Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director, Cork Airport and John Carty, Chief Commercial Officer, Greenvolt Next.

The 1.7 MW carport, which is being constructed over the existing Holiday Blue car park, shall be rolled out in two phases – the first of which will start in early summer, with the second stage to commence in October. Once completed in late summer 2027, it is envisaged that the 3,696 solar panels and 5 inverters will generate 1.5 GWh of renewable energy each year for the airport

As well as delivering renewable energy and lowering CO₂ emissions at the airport by 355,056 KG based on Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) data, the carport will reduce annual electricity costs and boost operational efficiency by enabling on-site energy generation.

In 2025, Cork Airport experienced its busiest year ever for passenger traffic, with a total of 3.46 million passengers. It was also named as Europe’s Best Regional Airport by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, acknowledging its efforts in promoting inbound tourism, adding new routes and its commitment to sustainable business. Cork Airport was also named as the “Best Performing Commercial Semi-State” for energy reduction by SEAI for two years running (2021, 2022).

This new solar carport will further strengthen Cork Airport’s sustainability credentials and forms a key part of the airport’s overall sustainability strategy.

The works on the construction of the new solar carport will be swiftly followed by an extension to the existing Holiday Blue Car Park, with 669 more long-term car parking spaces. Of those new spaces, 32 will be dedicated spaces for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM). The car park extension will also include new internal roadways, more trolley bays, attenuation and drainage work, along with tasteful landscaping works with a focus on native Irish plant species.

Speaking at Cork Airport, Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien TD said: “The project was supported with over €2 million in Exchequer funding under the Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme. This programme was developed in 2024 to support regional state airports to reach their carbon emission reduction targets and build resilience against climate change.

Cork Airport was named as the “Best Performing Commercial Semi-State” for energy reduction by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for two years running (2021, 2022). This new solar carport will strengthen Cork Airport’s sustainability credentials and forms a key part of the airport’s overall sustainability strategy. The solar carport will generate up to 20% of the airport’s electricity needs into the future.”

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, added: “Government recognises the important role regional airports play in their areas and in regional development. Cork Airport recorded its busiest year on record in 2025 with 3.46 million passengers choosing to use the airport which plays an important role in connecting the region to global markets, attracting investment and boosting inbound tourism. This targeted support is an indication of the importance Government attaches to regional State airports developing sustainable energy practices.”

Niall MacCarthy Managing Director, Cork Airport, said: “We understand the need for more sustainable operations at airports, which is why Cork Airport is investing in Ireland’s largest solar carport today. We acknowledge the support of daa Group, the Department of Transport and the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy for making this exciting project happen. We will meet our 2030 energy reduction targets and we are proud to confirm that.”

Owen Power, CEO, Greenvolt Next Ireland, added: “Our aim is to make renewable energy easy, and this solar carport does exactly that by enabling Cork Airport to be more resourceful, have more control, and use more reliable infrastructure. It will also deliver tangible benefits from both a financial and environmental perspective. We look forward to working with Cork Airport to both creating the largest solar carport in Ireland and future-proofing the aviation sector.”

Allbound and Channel Mechanics Unite Under a Single Brand: Channelscaler, creating 50 new high-tech jobs

Channel Mechanics + Allbound, two established leaders in the Partner Relationship Management (PRM) and Channel Program Automation space, has announced the successful completion of their merger. The unified entity will now operate under the new brand, Channelscaler.

Welcoming the company’s announcement to create an additional 50 highly skilled positions to support market demand for its platform, Galway based Minister Hildegarde Naughton said “Galway’s reputation for a highly trained and skilled workforce continues to attract significant investment, as evidenced by Channelscaler’s job announcement today. Having witnessed the company’s incredible journey and seeing their ambitious growth plans I have no doubt they will continue to put Galway on the map as the global leader in channel automation software.”

This strategic rebrand marks a significant milestone, combining the strengths and expertise of both companies. Channelscaler represents a shared vision for the future of partner program execution: intelligent, integrated, and built to scale.

“Today marks a significant milestone as we go to market under a unified brand uniting two incredible companies,” said Kenneth Fox, CEO, Channelscaler. This isn’t just a name change, it’s a statement of intent. We’re combining intuitive partner engagement with enterprise-grade automation to deliver what channel leaders need most: the platform, data, and insights to scale partner revenue – with confidence and clarity.

Speaking at the announcement, Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager for Technology & Services at Enterprise Ireland, said, “Enterprise Ireland has worked closely with Channelscaler since 2011 and we warmly welcome today’s expansion and rebrand announcement. Channelscaler’s success and growth in the space of channel sales highlights Ireland’s position as an international hub for innovation. As part of our new five-year strategy, Enterprise Ireland’s ambition is to accelerate sustainable Irish business with globally focused businesses like Channelscaler becoming the primary driver of the economy. Enterprise Ireland looks forward to working with the team to continue to support their growth ambitions as they expand their customer base internationally whilst continuing to create jobs here in Galway.”

In 2024, global trade reached an all-time high of $33 trillion, with indirect revenue accounting for greater than 70% of all purchases according to Canalys. Recognizing this immense and growing opportunity, Channelscaler, backed by Invictus Growth Partners, is dedicated to empowering companies that sell to, through, and with partners to take advantage of this opportunity. Creating a frictionless channel and streamlining partner program delivery enables businesses to thrive in this ecosystem driven economy.

“This is a better-together combination, creating a robust partner management platform that scales from small SaaS companies to Fortune 100 global powerhouses.  With US$7.46 billion in channel software revenue in 2024, and a projected US$13.48 billion by 2028, this growth highlights the crucial role of automation and data-driven decision-making in partnership success.” – Jay McBain, Chief Analyst – Channels, Partnerships & Ecosystems, Canalys

Channelscaler creates competitive advantage for its customers across every stage of the partner lifecycle. It delivers measurable ROI by simplifying partner operations, accelerating indirect revenue and reducing cost of channel sales.

“We drove the consolidation of Allbound and Channel Mechanics because we saw immense potential in their combined strengths to set the standard for excellence in channel sales software. This strategic rebrand to Channelscaler aligns with the company’s mission to power partnerships and deliver ROI for our customers” said John DeLoche, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Invictus Growth Partners.

Ends

For more information about Channelscaler, the most comprehensive platform for PRM and partner program automation on the market, visit https://channelscaler.com/.