Empey calls for action over renewable energy

Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has called for courageous action to help bring sources of renewable energy into the mainstream of the province’s energy market.

The Minister was speaking at a civic reception held in Belfast City Hall which was hosted by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Jim Rodgers. The reception, part of an international two day conference on renewable energy, was organised by the Centre for Sustainable Technologies at the University of Ulster.

Sir Reg highlighted the importance of producing energy from renewable sources and the need to capture the imagination of local communities to take forward a “renewables” agenda. He said that the future lay in the creation of an energy system to provide reliable electricity which is both efficient and cost effective – and which also protects health, preserves the environment and helps maintain ecological life in Northern Ireland.

He continued: "Renewables have therefore a key part to play in meeting the energy requirements of the 21st Century in a way which supports our economic and social needs. Energy policy is a devolved matter and my Department is progressing this issue.

"The EU is soon to issue a Directive on the promotion of renewable electricity which requires members to determine targets to be achieved by 2010. The UK government has set a target of 10% renewable energy and I have given the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, a commitment that Northern Ireland will contribute as much to that target as is feasible and practical.

"I have also approved an outline scheme which will offer £600,000 grant assistance over the next three years to support the development of small scale demonstration and fully commercial, locally owned generators working with renewables such as wind, photovoltaics, energy crops and small hydro schemes.

"Finally, Northern Ireland is also a leading edge technological developer in improving and discovering new ways of harnessing and commercialising renewable energy. This marriage between scientific research and sustainability is good news for all as we seek ways of producing energy which, while supporting our economy, also protects our health and environment," the Minister said.

Northern Ireland currently produces only 1.5 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources. Government has set a target of producing 3 per cent of energy consumption from renewables by the year 2005 and is preparing to set a target for 2010, which is required by the forthcoming EU Directive. (CL)