Renewable energy partnership spearheads action programme

A partnership between the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Viridian Group launched today, aims to encourage the development of renewable energy in Northern Ireland.

The key message of Action Renewables is ‘You Hold The Power’ and with this tagline Action Renewables will spearhead a drive to encourage the development of small-scale generation of renewable energy projects and provide clear, objective information about renewable energy opportunities in the province.

Energy Minister, Ian Pearson and Viridian Power & Energy’s Managing Director Harry McCracken launched the programme today when they met in the Craigantlet hills, where one local businessman has already taken action, by installing a wind-driven 20kw Jacob’s Turbine to provide energy for his heating and ventilation business.

Mr Pearson said: “The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s draft 10 year Energy Strategy includes a commitment to actively promote the benefits of renewable energy in pursuit of the suggested target of 12% of all electricity consumed by 2012.

“Renewable energy generating capacity in Northern Ireland has increased by 80% over the past year and more can be achieved by unlocking the potential for small-scale local generation. Action Renewables will encourage the development of smaller scale projects by providing important advice and support to local communities and individual householders.

“I am delighted the Viridian Group is working with my Department in taking this important initiative forward. The commercial focus they provide will enhance considerably the delivery of the Action Renewables programme.”

Viridian Power & Energy MD Harry McCracken said: “Renewable energy resources are plentiful in Northern Ireland, however if they are to be harvested to their full potential, initiatives such as this one are required to identify the opportunities and give encouragement to entrepreneurs and developers.

“The Action Renewables campaign will focus on a number of key areas to facilitate the development of renewable energy, including provision of a new advice service for householders and communities, the introduction of an education programme for schools, as well as tackling the harder issues such as identifying the opportunities geographically and exploring new technologies such as marine turbines.”

The first stage of an Action Renewables awareness campaign, will be followed by a number of other public initiatives.

For further information visit the Action Renewables website at www.actionrenewables.org

or call the freephone Action Renewables helpline on 0800 512012.

(SP)