Energy company Action Renewables is preparing to showcase renewable energy and climate change issues to the region at The Green Living Fair, Plumbridge on 29 July 2007.

With government grants of up to 50% available, Dan Sinton, Deputy Principal of Energy Division in DETI, said: “People are really catching on to the benefits of having renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, heat pumps and small scale wind turbines, in their homes.

“So far Reconnect has paid out in excess of £2 million to assist over 800 completed installations, and with a further 2,000 private homeowners here seeking to install domestic renewable energy systems, the total value of financial assistance offered is close to £6m.”


One Reconnect customer, Arthur McWhinney, received two government grants, enabling him to invest in a wood pellet boiler for home heating and a wind turbine, to generate electricity.

He had been concerned about rollercoaster energy prices and decided that a long term rather than a short term approach to reducing costs was the best solution.

Mr McWhinney said: “To be realistic, the money end was the main thing for me. I wanted to make life easier later on but I have already started getting money back from my electricity supplier, which makes a nice change.”

He continued: “Applying for grants for both technologies through Reconnect was very simple. The paperwork was not too bad, and approval for both came within a fortnight of sending the application. From start to finish, the entire grant process ran smoothly.”

Action Renewables will be at Green Living Fair at Plumbridge on Sunday 29 July from 6:00 to 9:00pm.

(JM/SP)