06/01/2026
Belfast City Council Switches To Local Green Energy In Landmark Deal
Belfast City Council has made history by becoming the first organisation to secure green electricity from the city's newest wind farm, marking a major shift toward sustainable energy for the local authority.
Through a new partnership with 3T Power, more than 200 council-owned buildings will now be powered exclusively by renewable energy. The contract covers many of Belfast's most iconic landmarks, including City Hall, Belfast Castle, St George's Market, and 2 Royal Avenue, alongside various leisure and community centres.
The electricity is generated at the recently completed Ballyutoag project in the Belfast Hills. By sourcing power from this Northern Ireland-based site, the council is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also supporting the local economy and job market.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, emphasised the council's role in driving environmental change: "We want to lead by example and do our part to make a real difference to cutting emissions and encouraging others to do the same. As the city's community planning authority, we have taken the lead in shaping and paving the way for a greener and more sustainable city, with transformational projects which will, in time, see real changes to how we live, work and future-proof our city.
"This contract underlines our own ambitions as an organisation to modernise and future-proof our buildings and, as the owner of one of the largest estates in the city, we want to encourage others to do the same – to put their shoulder to the wheel and work with us to help make the city's climate change targets a reality."
Thomas Kelso, Director at 3T Power, noted that the Ballyutoag site went live this autumn after years of development. He praised the council's leadership and invited other businesses to consider their Renewable Energy Adjustment tariff to improve price transparency and lower costs when green energy is most abundant.
The move aligns with the city's Local Area Energy Plan, launched in September 2024, which aims for Belfast to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The council has already progressed several other green initiatives over the past year, including a city-centre heat network project, the Belfast Retrofit Hub for home energy efficiency, and the UPSURGE sustainable horticulture demonstrator at the Lower Botanic Gardens.
Through a new partnership with 3T Power, more than 200 council-owned buildings will now be powered exclusively by renewable energy. The contract covers many of Belfast's most iconic landmarks, including City Hall, Belfast Castle, St George's Market, and 2 Royal Avenue, alongside various leisure and community centres.
The electricity is generated at the recently completed Ballyutoag project in the Belfast Hills. By sourcing power from this Northern Ireland-based site, the council is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also supporting the local economy and job market.
"This contract underlines our own ambitions as an organisation to modernise and future-proof our buildings and, as the owner of one of the largest estates in the city, we want to encourage others to do the same – to put their shoulder to the wheel and work with us to help make the city's climate change targets a reality."
Thomas Kelso, Director at 3T Power, noted that the Ballyutoag site went live this autumn after years of development. He praised the council's leadership and invited other businesses to consider their Renewable Energy Adjustment tariff to improve price transparency and lower costs when green energy is most abundant.
The move aligns with the city's Local Area Energy Plan, launched in September 2024, which aims for Belfast to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The council has already progressed several other green initiatives over the past year, including a city-centre heat network project, the Belfast Retrofit Hub for home energy efficiency, and the UPSURGE sustainable horticulture demonstrator at the Lower Botanic Gardens.
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22 October 2001
Belfast City Hall embraces eco-friendly energy policy
Belfast City Council has officially launched its new environment friendly Energy Policy that will see services carried out throughout the city gradually switching to renewable energy supply.
Belfast City Hall embraces eco-friendly energy policy
Belfast City Council has officially launched its new environment friendly Energy Policy that will see services carried out throughout the city gradually switching to renewable energy supply.
19 September 2018
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.
15 March 2004
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
02 March 2022
Design Ideas Sought For New Belfast Stories Site
Early career architects are being invited to pitch their creative concepts for the temporary use of a vacant site on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, the location for the £100m Belfast Stories tourism destination.
Design Ideas Sought For New Belfast Stories Site
Early career architects are being invited to pitch their creative concepts for the temporary use of a vacant site on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, the location for the £100m Belfast Stories tourism destination.
23 July 2009
Belfast 'Twelfth' Was Shopping Hit
Initial feedback on the commercial impact of Belfast shops being open over the traditional 'Twelfth' celebration has been excellent. This year's event, titled 'Orangefest' on 13 July witnessed Belfast city centre shops opening on the day of the parades for the first time.
Belfast 'Twelfth' Was Shopping Hit
Initial feedback on the commercial impact of Belfast shops being open over the traditional 'Twelfth' celebration has been excellent. This year's event, titled 'Orangefest' on 13 July witnessed Belfast city centre shops opening on the day of the parades for the first time.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.