Building Change Trust helps fund research into communities and renewable energy

Exciting research has been conducted into the onshore wind industry’s relationship with local communities across Northern Ireland and how this compares with other countries.

The Fermanagh Trust, with funding from the Building Change Trust, has carried out the research and will present their findings and recommendations on Friday 27 January at 10.00am in the Manor House Hotel, Killadeas, Co. Fermanagh.

An in-depth examination of good practice models and partnership arrangements between the industry and local communities in other areas is included in the research report.

One of the key findings has been the different models of community engagement and community benefit available in Northern Ireland in comparison to other parts of the UK.

The draft Programme for Government states that the Executive will ‘encourage industry to achieve 20% of electricity consumption from renewable electricity and 4% renewable heat by 2015’.

Within that context it is vital that the renewable sector and communities work closely together to ensure that these targets are met and in a way that ensures communities are real partners.

All voluntary and community sector and interested individuals/organisations are invited to attend. Please RSVP to Charlene Black at The Fermanagh Trust by 24 February on 028 6632 0210 or charlene@fermanaghtrust.org