North West Energy Conference explores the future of energy
A cross-border conference was held in Derry to discuss the future of energy on the island and what local businesses can do to address the challenges of rising energy costs and the opportunities for investment, growth, innovation and job creation, within the framework of a sustainable energy sector.
The Derry and Letterkenny Chambers hosted the annual North West Future of Energy conference on Thursday in the Everglades Hotel. The event was sponsored by SSE Renewables.
The conference featured a keynote address from Klair Neenan, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity and also brought together energy suppliers, technology providers, industry buyers, investors and policy makers in one marketplace to share knowledge and showcase innovation.
It also invited participants to look closely at their own carbon footprint and educated business owners on tools such as the SME Climate Hub that they can use to assess and monitor where improvements can be made to their own business operations.
Compered by energy journalist and broadcaster Jamie Delargy, this year’s conference explored issues including security of supply, innovation, energy competitiveness and decarbonisation.
Anna Doherty, Chief Executive of the Londonderry Chamber, said: “There are so many challenges we face as businesses, not least of which is the growing rise in energy prices which has impacted businesses all across the country in the past year.
"This conference examined the opportunities presented by our energy challenges and how we can practically meet them.
"We explored how we can innovate, how we can use renewable energies, new technologies and how we can collaborate with each other to meet these challenges head on and become responsible business owners in the drive for a more sustainable future.
"We are very pleased to have had the support of SSE Renewables this year, their support allowed us to have this engaging and informative conference.”
Toni Forrester, Chief Executive of the Letterkenny Chamber, added: “Our members have energy cost and security high on their agendas, they are adopting measures to improve their sustainability and conserve energy.
"This conference has been a brilliant opportunity for businesses to explore new ideas, meet the suppliers in the industry and hear from key stakeholders.
The Future of Energy Conference is relevant across the country, the North West region is working together to address the challenges and explore opportunities for investment and job creation in the renewable energy sector.”
Klair Neenan, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity said: “I was delighted to be delivering the keynote address at this year’s North West Future of Energy Conference. At SSE, we are driven by our purpose to provide the energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. Collaboration is the key to realising this ambition.
"This conference provided a valuable opportunity to discuss how we might be even more effective through partnership on energy.”
PICTURED ABOVE: Derry Chamber Chief Executive, Anna Doherty, Chamber President, Selina Horshi, SSE Airtricity Managing Director, Klair Neenan, President of Letterkenny Chamber, Fionnuala Rabbit, and Letterkenny Chamber CEO, Toni Forrester at the North West Future of Energy Conference.