Local businesses who have signed up to the Energy Connections NI programme sector are set for a busy November with a number of activities taking place to help them grow business in renewable energy, all grouped under the hashtag #getenergyconnected.
Energy Connections NI is a business support programme aimed at companies in the South East of Northern Ireland which provides free practical advice to small businesses to help them become suppliers to the renewable energy sector. The programme is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.
Throughout November participating companies have the opportunity to visit an operational wind farm in Co Derry, take part in targeted business development sessions, meet the developer of an Anaerobic Digestion plant in Banbridge and visit a Biomass plant in Saintfield. Companies can also receive support to attend the Renewable UK Conference in Manchester.
Amanda Smyth from Newry & Mourne Council which administers the programme on behalf of six local councils has urged companies to get involved in the events on offer.
“The Energy Connections Programme is an important way for SME’s to avail of the supply chain opportunities in the renewable energy sector. Companies who are taking part are already benefitting from mentoring, meet the buyer sessions and from Knowledge Transfer Visits.
“Already more than 100 companies across the region have registered to take part in Energy Connections. Some have travelled to the east of England, London, Aberdeen, and even Italy to gain a better understanding of business prospects in the renewable energy sector. There is still time for new companies to join the programme and if anyone is interested in doing so they should contact us right away.”
Energy Connections NI provides free support to small businesses in Ards, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Down and Newry & Mourne Councils including Meet the Buyer events, mentoring and Knowledge Transfer visits.
During November the following events will take place:
6th – Visit to SSE Windfarm at Slieve Kirk
11th -13th Renewable UK conference, Manchester
18th – Business development session on ‘Marketing to the renewable sector’, Craigavon
19th Visit to Anaerobic Digestion plant, Banbridge
26th Business development session ‘Write winning tenders: Tendering for new business’, Craigavon
27th – Visit to Biomass plant, Saintfield
To find out more and register for any of these events visit http://energyconnectionsni.com/november-getenergyconnected/
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