INVEST NORTHERN IRELAND SPONSORS OF REGIONAL FOCUS
NORTHERN IRELAND:
SMALL IN SIZE BIG ON OPPORTUNITY
ALTHOUGH IT IS SMALL, NORTHERN IRELAND IS WELL PLACED TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND PROVISION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES.
ADVANTAGES
This is not only because of its geographical location and natural physical resources but also because of the capabilities and skills of its businesses, the specialist expertise in its local universities and the focused support from its devolved government.
RENEWABLE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE Physically Northern Ireland boasts a natural offshore tidal energy resource that is recognised as being the best in Europe. It is also one of the windiest areas in Europe making it a natural location for wind power. Its infrastructure, a legacy of its shipbuilding past, includes the Belfast Harbour with its deep water access and heavy duty quays and on the western side the Londonderry port – just two of nine ports in the region. This gives it a head start on developing the infrastructure required for large offshore wind projects.
EXPERTISE But physical resources in themselves are not enough and Northern Ireland’s potential in the renewable sector relies equally on the expertise of local universities and businesses. Research being carried out at Queen’s University, Belfast and the University of Ulster is leading the world in many areas. Queen’s University is renowned worldwide for its research on harnessing wave power and environmental monitoring, while the University of Ulster has major research capability in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy system modelling.
KNOWLEDGE BASE
This knowledge base has also led to increased activity in the design and manufacture of various sustainable technologies, especially in offshore, by companies in Northern Ireland. For example, Harland and Wolff have diversified from shipbuilding into the design and manufacture of offshore substations and turbine foundations for wave, tidal and wind projects and have worked on a number of wind farms for companies such as Siemens and Vestas.
WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY FOCUS Other companies, such as B9 Energy O and M Ltd independently and in conjunction with Global Wind Alliance (a formal association of NI wind companies), have built up expertise in the expanding turbine maintenance market. Small scale wind turbine manufacture is also progressing rapidly with companies such as West Wind and Kingspan Renewables active in this sector.
ENERGY STORAGE AND SUPPLY CHAIN Expertise in the development of energy storage devices is also provided by companies such as FAST Technologies. In fact, with the help of Invest Northern Ireland – the region’s main economic and development agency, over 400 companies are diversifying part or all of their services and products and making the supply chain in Northern Ireland a strong and innovative one.
DEVOLVED GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY Northern Ireland’s devolved government is committed to the success of Renewable Energy in the region. A target of 40% energy from Renewables sources (compared to the 15% target issued by the European Commission) has been made by 2020. To help reach these targets, energy from a number of renewable sources is being looked into including offshore wind and marine, biomass, energy from waste and energy saving. At present there are over 1100 renewable energy projects across the various technologies progressing through the planning process valued at over £1.2 billion and with the additional offshore energy projects this is expected to rise to over £2 billion at the end of 2012.
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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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