Ahead
Powering
Welcome to the Spring 2015 Simple Power newsletter.
Simple Power has been working hard with various partners to engage Ministers
on issues affecting the renewables sector in Northern Ireland and to encourage
continued Government commitment to supporting farmers and the industry in our efforts to
generate clean, green energy. You can find out more about this in our policy round up below.
Since our last update, we have been on the road exhibiting at various events and hosting schools
visits. This included exhibiting at Balmoral Show 2015 within the new Sustainable Village. The show
was a great success and we even welcomed our new Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment,
Jonathan Bell, to the Simple Power stand to learn more about the work that we do with our farming
partners throughout the province.
As we mark our second year of CSR partnership with farming charity Rural Support, we celebrate
our past successes including the recent launch of the first annual ‘Wellies to Work Day’ to raise
awareness of Rural Support and the services they offer.
We are excited to share our news with you and hope you enjoy this Spring edition.
Philip
Philip Rainey, Chief Executive of Simple Power
Spring 2015
Policy Round UpFollowing the recent general election, Jonathan Bell MLA has been appointed as the
new Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and we welcome his appointment
to the role in a time when energy policy in Northern Ireland is firmly in the spotlight.
One of his first major announcements was to confirm that DETI support for
renewable energy projects will continue until March 2017 as planned, despite the
equivalent scheme in GB closing one year earlier in 2016. We welcome the Minister’s
statement and recognise that this support is absolutely vital for landowners who
want to diversify into renewable energy. However, there is still much work to be
done. Achieving timely grid connections remains a major issue for the industry and we again urge key stakeholders
to reach a positive outcome as soon as possible.
Simple Power is working hard with various partners including the Ulster Farmers’ Union to engage the Minister and
his Department on such issues, including grace periods and the introduction of a small-scale Feed In Tariff post the
closure of the current Renewable Obligations in 2017.
We are grateful to our farming partners for their continued support as we work to improve on delivery of small-
scale renewable energy opportunities for landowners across the country.
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