Gildernew receives update from renewable energy stakeholders group

Minister Michelle Gildernew, MP MLA, today met with a delegation from the Agricultural Stakeholder Forum on Renewable Energy to discuss progress to date.

The delegation was led by Pearse Buckley, Chair of the Forum, and two of the Forum’s members, Michael Doran, Rural Generation, and Michael Harnett, Ulster Farmer’s Union. The Forum is tasked with advising on a new departmental strategy on renewable energy and to review the DARD Renewable Energy Action Plan in light of changes to the opportunities within the renewable energy environments, alongside that of new opportunities within the renewable energy market since the Action Plan was completed.

Following the meeting the Minister said: “I took the opportunity today to meet with representatives of this Forum to discuss what progress they have made to date at this half-way stage. I am encouraged that they are on target to advise on a refreshed departmental renewable energy strategy by the summer of 2009.

“Their report will focus on opportunities for renewable energy within agriculture, establishing key objectives, targets and time frames. The agricultural sector has a key role to play in supporting production of renewable energy and it is important that our land owners take full advantage of the opportunity it presents.”

Note to Editors:

1.Membership of the Forum is drawn from the following organisations:-

• Sustainable Energy Ireland
• Rural Generation
• Confederation of Forest Industries
• Ulster Farmers’ Union
• Action Renewables
• Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
• Frontier Energy

2.The DARD Renewable Energy Action Plan is available at www.dardni.gov.uk/content-newpage-renewable-energy-action-plan

3. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.