Gildernew promotes renewable energy at open day

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA has championed renewable energy at a special open day in Cookstown, which was jointly organised between DARD and industry.

The Renewables Open Day, which was held at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)’s Loughry campus was planned by DARD in partnership with key industry stakeholders from AFBI, UFU, Carbon Trust, Action Renewables and RSPB. The event was held to increase awareness within the agri-food industry of the opportunities that exist to improve energy efficiency and to implement renewable technologies within their business.

Speaking at the open day, the Minister said: “I am very keen to promote the opportunities that sustainable development of renewable energy in the agri-food sector and the wider rural economy can offer. I fully support this event and encourage all local industry to implement as many energy efficiency and renewable measures as possible.

“Today’s joint effort demonstrates the willingness of Government and industry to work together to make the most of the opportunities available for the benefit of all of us. Through CAFRE my Department will continue to deliver tailored education, training and technology transfer programmes in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment”.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619.
2. The Renewable Energy Action Plan can be viewed at the DARD website – www.dardni.gov.uk
3. Further information on renewables will be available at the CAFRE website – www.cafre.ac.uk