A Belfast-based energy services company has secured a £4m deal in Germany.

It has been described as Joulen’s first major export deal and will see the company supply its AI platform, Paris, to SonneNext, a major German energy company.

Stormont Economy Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the deal, which will create 13 jobs.

“Joulen’s success in the German market demonstrates how Northern companies are leading the way in the green economy, leveraging cutting-edge digital solutions to drive international growth,” he said.

“The creation of 13 new jobs, supported by Invest NI, will further strengthen Joulen’s ability to expand its Paris platform and meet the evolving needs of its clients.

“During my recent visit to Germany, I saw first-hand the significant opportunities available to local businesses in this key market.

“My economic plans prioritize innovation, sustainability and high-quality job creation, and this announcement is a great example of how we can achieve these goals. »

Joulen also has ambitious plans to expand its product offering, including developing features to meet the changing needs of the global renewable energy market.

Chris Doherty, Managing Director of Joulen, said: “We are delighted to partner with SonneNext, a leader in the German renewable energy market.

“This contract not only represents a significant commercial success for Joulen, but also demonstrates how our platform can enable innovative new energy services for customers across Europe.

“Our Paris platform is already having a considerable impact in optimizing renewable energy, and we are delighted to bring this expertise to Germany through this new partnership.

“The new jobs we are creating are open to people across Northern Ireland through our hybrid working approach and will further strengthen our ability to innovate and grow in the green energy sector.”

Steve Harper, Executive Director of International Business and Skills at Invest NI, said: “Invest NI has been proud to support Joulen from its early days, providing R&D support, technical expertise and helping the business expand its team in 2021.

“Our latest support will now enable the creation of 13 new high value-added jobs.

“This successful contract with SonneNext highlights the critical role our teams play in the market globally, with our Düsseldorf team playing an instrumental role in providing support with market research, due diligence and navigating the complexities of the German business landscape.

“This partnership represents an important milestone for Joulen and establishes a solid foundation for its future growth in international markets. »