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Sustainable energy agency gets cash boost
20 January 2009
Regen SW, the region's sustainable energy agency, has received a
£2 million investment to continue its work with businesses across
the South West.
The cash boost, which extends Regen SW's funding by two years
until March 2011, comes from the South West RDA, which has now
invested more than £5.3 million in Regen SW since 2002.
The extra money will allow Regen SW to deliver a new business
plan designed to beef up its support to businesses, including the
marine energy sector. It will also look at speeding up the
transition to a low-carbon economy in the South West by unlocking
sustainable energy opportunities, accelerating the uptake of the
region's renewable energy resources, and championing initiatives
that reduce energy demand.
Jonny Boston, energy manager at the South West RDA, said: "This
further investment in Regen SW forms a vital part of our commitment
to developing a low-carbon economy, by unlocking the business
potential of the sustainable energy sector. Regen SW has helped put
the South West on the map in terms of renewable energy, and will
continue to play a significant role in helping the region reap the
benefits of harnessing its substantial renewable energy
resources."
Regen SW already works to develop all aspects of the sustainable
energy industry in the region, but is particularly focused on
assisting the growth of sustainable energy businesses in the
region. It does this by providing services that include brokering
new business through a supply chain service, providing specialist
advice on policy and funding, promoting the sector's capability
inside and outside the region, and encouraging inward investment
from businesses new to the region.
Regen SW has had numerous successes over the past six years
including: helping approximately 450 businesses; training 1,500
firms via events and seminars; and giving strategic planning advice
to 250 organisations - including councils - on how to develop new
sustainable energy projects. It has also identified 30 sites for
biomass installation as part of its role in managing the South West
bioheat programme on behalf of the South West RDA.
Cheryl Hiles acting chief executive of Regen SW, said:
"Sustainable energy is becoming increasingly important,
particularly with the recent agreement of the EU renewables targets
for 2020. As a region we will have to reduce energy demand by at
least 20 per cent and dramatically increase deployment of all our
on and offshore renewable technologies, so it's essential that we
pick up the pace on all of our sustainable energy activities. This
would not be possible without the necessary investment in place, so
this extension to our funding from the South West RDA will prove to
be crucially important to the region."
The South West's sustainable energy sector is worth over £500
million a year to the regional economy, supporting in excess of
7,200 jobs. The renewable energy sector alone has seen a massive 37
per cent year-on-year growth in employment over the last 3 years.
Regen SW will be working to support this trend of rapid growth, as
national and international efforts to address the twin threats of
climate change and energy security become ever more intense.
Ends
Notes to editors
1. The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable
economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It is
helping companies respond to the economic crisis and charts a
course for recovery. The RDA is developing or expanding initiatives
which include: establishing a Business Loan Fund; coordinating the
response to large companies in difficulty; preparing for economic
recovery.
2. Regen SW is an independent not-for-profit company that was
set up by the South West RDA in 2002 to further the growth of the
renewable energy sector in the region. http://www.regensw.co.uk/
3. Regen SW was the first regional renewable energy agency in
the country. It is now a sustainable energy, agency incorporating
activities both on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
For more details contact:
Rachel Price, South West RDA press office - Tel: 01392
229548
James Reddy, Regen SW press office - Tel: 01392 474322
Contact Details
Name Rachel Price
Tel 01392 229548
Email rachel.price@southwestrda.org.uk