The Western Development Commission has been awarded funding from the EU’s Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Interreg programme for a new three-year project to support the renewable energy sector in the Western Region.  The project is called ‘Generating Renewable Energy Business Enterprise’ (GREBE) will support renewable energy enterprises across the West of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Norway and Iceland, (Project Summary attached)

GREBE will target and support start-ups and SMEs and recent graduates working in the renewable energy sector and based in one of the six participating partner regions of the project in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Norway and Iceland.  GREBE products and services will also be useful for existing organisations involved in renewable energy, local and regional authorities, business advisory organisations, as well as research and development institutes, technology groups, and universities and other educational institutes with an interest in rural economic development and/or renewable energy.

 GREBE will support renewable energy start-ups and SMEs:

• To grow their business, to provide local jobs, and meet energy demands of local communities.
  
  
• By supporting diversification of the technological capacity of SMEs and start-ups so that they can exploit the natural conditions of their locations.
  
  
• By providing RE tailored, expert guidance and mentoring will be provided to ensure SMEs and start-ups have the knowledge and expertise to grow and expand their businesses. 
  
  
• By providing a platform for transnational sharing of knowledge to demonstrate the full potential of the RE sector by showcasing innovations on RE technology and strengthening accessibility to expertise and business support available locally and in other NPA regions.
  
  
• To connect with other renewable energy businesses to develop new opportunities locally, regionally and transnationally through the Virtual Energy Ideas Hub.
  
  
• By conducting research on the processes operating in the sector to improve understanding of the sector’s needs and make the case for public policy to support the sector.

GREBE Project & renewable energy business

GREBE will focus on the challenges of peripheral and arctic regions as places for doing business and help develop renewable energy (RE) business opportunities provided by extreme conditions. It will support successful development of SMEs and start-ups in this sector through analysis of advanced RE options, expert business mentoring, transnational models of successful growth strategies, policy analysis and information on funding mechanisms for businesses and support agencies.

Challenges including a lack of critical mass, dispersed settlements, poor accessibility and vulnerability to climate change effects are well recognised. GREBE will equip SMEs and start-ups with the skills and confidence to overcome these challenges and use place based natural assets for RE to best sustainable effect.

GREBE will enable local entrepreneurs and SMEs to grow their business, to provide local jobs, andmeet energy demands of local communities. A comprehensive approach that advocates a supportive and innovative policy framework and promotes awareness of funding schemes is required. GREBEwill support diversification of the technological capacity of SMEs and start-ups so that they can exploit the natural conditions of their locations. RE tailored, expert guidance and mentoring will be provided to ensure SMEs and start-ups have the knowledge and expertise to grow and expand their businesses.

GREBE will provide a platform for transnational sharing of knowledge to demonstrate the fullpotential of the RE sector by showcasing innovations on RE technology and strengtheningaccessibility to expertise and business support available locally and in other NPA regions. By facilitating access to similar SMEs and start-ups, research institutes and technological experts,networking and learning opportunities will arise, with new skills and methods of doing business shared.

The project partnership includes the eight partners from six countries, Western Development Commission (ROI), Action Renewables (NI), Fermanagh & Omagh District Council (NI), Environmental Research Institute (SCO), LUKE (FI), Karelia University of Applied Sciences (FI), Narvik Science Park (NOR) and Innovation Iceland (ICE). The budget for this IS €1.77 million over three years, commencing 1st September 2015.

For further information, please contact paulineleonard@wdc.ie

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