Archive for September, 2010

Northern Ireland’s new energy environment: Belfast Telegraph energy supplement

Northern Ireland’s energy sector is at a turning point.  Quite simply, we cannot use energy in the future as we have in the past.  Our dependence on fossil fuels will increasingly be replaced by an emphasis on sustainable sources and energy efficiency. 
 
While this sounds scary, it is also very exciting.  Replacing old practices and [...]

Turning the tide: Belfast Telegraph energy supplement

Tidal energy is one of the great hopes of the renewable energy sector and Northern Ireland’s coast line is well suited to its exploitation.  Leases are likely to be on offer later this year for new commercial tidal generators to be sited off the North Antrim coast.
 
A demonstration tidal energy project is already in operation [...]

Gilliland’s passion: Belfast Telegraph energy supplement

John Gilliland is passionate about agriculture and energy.  And today he leads a business that brings together those two obsessions by producing wood for energy.
 
Gilliland’s interest in energy policy dates from 1987, when he was paying £9,000 a year to heat the large family home of Brook Hall in Londonderry.  By replacing the old burner [...]

Harland & Wolff case study: Belfast Telegraph energy supplement

Harland and Wolff is the most famous name in Northern Ireland’s old manufacturing sector.  It is also the most famous name in one of its newest and most exciting manufacturing sectors – renewable energy generation.
 
Five years ago Harland and Wolff began a diversification strategy based on its desire to use its ship-building skills and resources [...]

Airtricity case study: Belfast Telegraph energy supplement

Airtricity
 
In May this year Airtricity entered the Northern Ireland domestic electricity supply market, offering prices that it claims can undercut NIE Energy by as much as 14%.  Airtricity already supplied electricity and gas to commercial customers in Northern Ireland and energy to  commercial and residential customers in the Republic of Ireland, where it now [...]

Viridian case study: Belfast Telegraph energy supplement

Viridian
 
Viridian Group is the parent company of NIE Energy Ltd.  NIE was previously known as Northern Ireland Electricity, which was a government-owned body until privatised in 1993.  NIE Energy remains the largest supplier of electricity in Northern Ireland, supplying about 780,000 residential and commercial customers.  More than 20,000 of these customers are supplied from [...]

Thetis Energy case study: Belfast Telegraph energy supplement

Thetis Energy was formed in 2008 to develop a tidal energy project in Northern Ireland.  Three companies operated as a consortium to form the company.  Statkraft is a Norwegian state-owned company that develops the renewable energy sector and is Europe’s largest producer of renewable energy.  Deepblue Renewables is a Galway-based specialist marine energy company. 
The [...]

Con-vincing new business: Belfast Telegraph

Evince Systems Ltd
 
This Enniskillen small firm has just been set-up by Denis Thornton.

 
What does your business do?
We help companies produce winning tenders for the government procurement market.  We do this through a ‘bid in a box’ system that has the tools, techniques and procedures clients need to manage their bid team and effectively sell [...]

Speaking in tongues: Belfast Telegraph

Ulster Language Services

This new Carrickfergus small firm has been established by Regine McCullough.
 
What is your business?
 
Ulster Language Services is a one-stop-shop for all foreign language requirements: translation, interpreting and tuition for businesses, organisations or individuals who need documents translated, require the assistance of an interpreter to communicate with their foreign clients or staff, or wish [...]

New government - new health service reform: Health Service Review

Attempts at reforming and improving the NHS became one of the defining and persistent challenges of the last Labour government – despite it doubling funding in real terms.  While major advances were made, it remained unfinished business for Labour.  The big question is whether the coalition can do better.
Analysis by the King’s Fund concludes that [...]