ESB Independent Energy has won a contract to supply electricity to 145 sites in the Republic owned by Teagasc, the agricultural research and training body.

The deal, believed to be worth about €2.5 million, involves the supply of 18 gigawatt hours of power.

About 40 per cent of the electricity will originate from renewable sources and this was a key requirement for Teagasc in the awarding of the contract.

Catherine Sheil, customer relationship manager with ESB Independent Energy, said: "This is another significant competitive win for ESB IE. As with all our customers we focus on delivering on price and customer satisfaction especially in an environment of competition and rising costs."

Teagasc said electricity deals were no longer being decided on cost alone. Tom Kirley, acting director of the organisation, said: "As a growing organisation we needed a partner who could deliver on the vital power requirements."

ESB Independent Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the ESB Group, but operates independently.

It targets the major users in the Republic and competes with the likes of Viridian, Bord Gáis and Airtricity.

The company has been operating in this segment of the market since 2000, when competition was first introduced among large users of electricity.

It already retains the following accounts: Tesco, BT, Superquinn, Glanbia, Odlums, C&C Group and various Government agencies.

While keen to expand its customer list, the company recently launched an energy advice booklet for business customers.

The booklet explains how business customers can save up to 30 per cent on energy bills by introducing energy efficient practices in the workplace.

The book was launched recently by Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey and ESB chief executive Pádraig McManus.

It claims that simple measures can reduce electricity bills significantly.

For example, heating costs rise by 8 per cent for each additional degree by which the temperature is increased.