Northern Ireland SME’s are very keen to embrace the opportunities that renewable business practices provide according to business electricity supplier Electric Ireland and Action Renewables who have been oversubscribed for applications for grants for new solar PV panels.

The two organisations were awarded the administration of the new grant by the Northern Ireland Utility Regulator which offered 20% off the costs of installation of a solar PV system up to a maximum of £3000 as part of the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP).

Designed to provide the opportunity for SME’s to make significant savings on the installation of solar PV panels, enabling businesses to generate their own electricity and become more energy efficient, the scheme was oversubscribed within a matter of days. 

According to Claire McAllister, Senior Customer Relationship Manager, Electric Ireland, the prospect of generating their own electricity, becoming more energy efficient and saving money was very appealing to SME’s, resulting in significant uptake.  Commenting, Clare said, “Through this initiative SME’s have demonstrated that they are eager to consider the opportunities that renewable business practices provide and where there are both environmental and financial savings to be made, they will move quickly to secure the services for their business.   Over 50 companies have signed up to this programme within a very short period of time and they will enjoy significant benefits from generating energy using a renewable source, they will see a reduction in energy consumption, be less reliant of fossil fuels and will reduce their overall costs.

“It is incumbent upon businesses to continually look at ways to remain competitive in their marketplace, particularly within a challenging economy and self generating renewable energy provides a real opportunity for SME’s to become more energy efficient and develop business practices that are both sustainable and competitive in the long term.  I’d like to commend the SME sector within Northern Ireland for addressing and reviewing the opportunities presented by implementing renewable programmes, something that has been so evident within this solar PV panel initiative.

Commenting on the initiative, Nicola Murphy, Action Renewables, which is the lead authority for renewable energy in Northern Ireland said, “We have been delighted to partner with Electric Ireland and deliver opportunities for our SME sector to start building long term sustainable energy supplies which have significant social and environment advantages.  Afterall, SME’s make up 99% of our economy and we need to work with them to deliver ways that make their business more energy efficient by reducing consumption and helping them save money in the process.  It has been very encouraging to see so many SME’s that are keen to implement this renewable energy programme and start to change long established and inefficient ways of running their business.

For further information contact Shane Finnegan or Lyn Sheridan at Aiken PR

Tel: 028 90 663000 or shane@aikenpr.com.

About Electric IrelandElectric Ireland, part of ESB, provides tailored energy solutions to business customers throughout the island of Ireland. In addition to supplying electricity and gas Electric Ireland provides a wide range of energy consulting products that assist customers in better managing their energy consumption, driving efficiencies and helping reduce costs