This week the Business Secretary Vince Cable announced a new investment of £60m in UK community-scale renewable energy projects by the UK Green Investment Bank and the Strathclyde Pension Fund. 

New finance will fund up to 30 projects and will be the largest single source of equity funding available for UK community-scale renewable energy projects. 

With this latest development, Graeme Dunwoody, Research & Policy Officer of The Fermanagh Trust noted:

‘Let’s ensure that Northern Ireland can reap the benefits of investment in community energy. Communities in Northern Ireland need to take a proactive role and actively seek out ways to get involved in community energy projects.  However it is also necessary that the NI Executive supports communities wishing to develop such initiatives - this should involve directing resources to communities including access to finance and advice. 

It is important to put communities at the heart of our energy policy.  The forthcoming draft cross departmental Community Energy Action Plan presents an opportunity to help put communities first in Northern Ireland.’