It’s time for Mid-Ulster to reconnect at home with renewable energy

With government grants of up to 50% available, there has never been a better time for Mid-Ulster to Reconnect at home with renewable energy.

This is the message from Action Renewables, as they prepare to showcase renewable energy and climate change issues to the region at The Green Living Fair, Plumbridge on 29 July 2007.

Dan Sinton, Deputy Principal of Energy Division in DETI said: “People are really catching on to the benefits of having renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, heat pumps and small scale wind turbines, in their homes.

“So far, Reconnect has paid out in excess of £2million to assist over 800 completed installations, and with a further 2,000 private homeowners here seeking to install domestic renewable energy systems, the total value of financial assistance offered is close to £6million.”

One Reconnect customer, Arthur McWhinney, received two government grants, enabling him to invest in a wood pellet boiler for home heating and a wind turbine, to generate electricity. He had been concerned about rollercoaster energy prices and decided that a long term rather than a short term approach to reducing energy costs was the best solution.

Mr McWhinney said: “To be realistic, the money end was the main thing for me. I wanted to make life easier later on but I have already started getting money back from my electricity supplier, which makes a nice change.

”Certainly the environment was another plus. I looked into it very intensively - how many years it would take to pay back - and I was happy to go ahead with the two schemes.

“Applying for grants for both technologies through Reconnect was very simple. The paperwork was not too bad, and approval for both came within a fortnight of sending off the application. From start to finish, the entire grant process ran smoothly.”

Dr Andy McCrea, Director, Action Renewables said: “Northern Ireland generates around 95% of our electricity through the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas. We need to reduce this significantly to help in the fight against climate change.

“The Reconnect grant initiative makes renewable energy a cheaper, easier and more environmentally-friendly option for us to heat and power our homes.

“Come to The Green Living Fair at Plumbridge on Sunday 29 July to find out how you can avail of the Reconnect grants of offer and become less reliant on imported fuels, save money and reduce harmful emissions now and in the years ahead.”

Action Renewables will be at Green Living Fair at Plumbridge on Sunday 29 July from 6.00 - 9.00 pm.

For further information including how to apply for a Reconnect grant, the range of technologies on offer and a list of approved renewable energy technology installers across Northern Ireland, log on to the Reconnect website. . Alternatively contact Freephone 0800 023 4077, text ‘ENERGY’ to 60900 or email reconnect@detini.gov.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. Reconnect is one part of the government’s £59.2million Environment and Renewable Energy Fund (EREF). The programme was launched in July by the Secretary of State, Peter Hain MP. The aim of EREF is to enhance and accelerate renewable energy development and deployment in Northern Ireland.
2. Action Renewables is a Northern Ireland based organisation, set up to stimulate awareness of the issues associated with conventional energy use and of the range of solutions available through renewable energy technologies.
3. Press queries to Nicola Steele, DETI Press Office, Tel: 028 90529510.
4. During out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.