ESB International is to create 80 new jobs as part of an expansion plan.

The company is to recruit the engineering and technical professionals in Dublin over the next 5 years.

It is in response to growing demand for their engineering services.

The new employees could then be posted overseas as the company expands into the Middle East, Turkey and South Africa where they have secured new contracts.

Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte has welcomed the announcement calling the positions high quality, export-orientated jobs targeting over 20 key international markets.

'On track to double turnover'

Ollie Brogan is Managing Director of ESB International.

"There is massive investment in energy infrastructure across all of our key markets and we have recently secured new contracts in the Middle East, Turkey and South Africa" he said.

"We are on track to double turnover from our international operations over the next 5 years and will need skilled people from all of the main engineering disciplines to support that growth" he added.

The firm currently employs over 800 staff.