Exploring a greener future post Covid-19
10 October 2020
Following news that a climate bill is due to appear before the Northern Ireland Assembly and ongoing calls for the post-Covid recovery to be powered by green electricity, the team at 3T Power have welcomed any support by Government to facilitate an increase in renewable technologies and reductions in Northern Ireland’s overall carbon footprint by adopting its own climate change legislation.
As Northern Ireland’s only energy supply company dedicated to supplying business customers with electricity generated exclusively by locally-based renewable energy technologies including a network of wind turbines dotted across the province, 3T Power is regarded as having one of the greatest wind energy resources in Europe. The team of renewable energy innovators behind 3T Power feels it is important that this potential resource is maximised to contribute to an increase in the proportion of our energy derived from renewable sources.
Reacting to the new Climate Change Act for Northern Ireland and what it will mean for the economy and environment locally Shauna Forbes, Director, 3T Power said, “Northern Ireland is the only devolved administration up to this point which does not have its own climate change legislation and emissions targets in place. The Act will require the entire economy to switch away from fossil fuels, as well as developing technologies for carbon capture and energy storage locally. This will mean generating even more renewable energy, making the switch to electric vehicles earlier, making buildings more energy efficient, and cutting emissions from agriculture, aviation and transport.”
From an economical viewpoint, renewable energy is infinite and maintenance requirements are lower. Renewable energy also reduces our reliance on energy sources imported from overseas, and drives down the cost of energy which will reduce expenses for consumers and businesses, increasing disposable income that can be spent in other ways.
Indicating an inspiring beacon of how renewables can be put to best use, Shauna Forbes cites the example of how Iceland has embraced the power of renewable energy generation. “Iceland is the world’s leader in generating renewable energy, producing more green electricity per person than any other country on earth,” Shauna said. “By embracing renewable energy, Iceland has contributed to its picture postcard clean landscapes and healthy environment and has become a great role model for us here in Northern Ireland where we, too, can utilise renewables to help preserve our landscape and do our part to combat climate change.”
In order to make the most of renewable technologies, Shauna indicates one area where development is essential – energy storage. “We need to develop technologies for energy storage. When we reach a point where we can store any excess renewable generation and release it when it’s needed, that’s when we will have really made steps forward.”
3T Power, has announced a partnership with Smiley Monroe, the ISO 14001 environmental management system certified, global manufacturer of endless conveyor belts and cut rubber parts for the materials processing equipment manufacturing sector, based in Lisburn. This partnership has resulted in the ‘greening’ of the organisation’s Northern Ireland electricity supply.
The coming together of two forward-thinking Northern Irish businesses is helping Smiley Monroe’s team to implement a clean energy transition which includes their 55,000 ft2 manufacturing facilities and administrative offices. This has also resulted in Smiley Monroe’s full Northern Ireland operation being powered purely by renewable energy generated by wind turbines across Northern Ireland. The expected annual CO2 reduction for this global manufacturer is expected to be around 270,000 kg, equal to the weight of over 55 African elephants, in carbon offset. The partnership will also ensure long-term savings through the confirmation of a low-cost, secure energy tariff.
As the calls grow stronger around the world to ensure that the post-Covid-19 global economic recovery is led by green initiatives and principles, the alliance between Tyrone-based 3T Power and Lisburn’s Smiley Monroe has been announced as just one of many initiatives the group has introduced in its drive to be an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable business through continuously investing in the latest technology, lean processes, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. By switching to exclusively renewable electricity supplied by 3T’s network of renewable electricity generators, Smiley Monroe has demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability and support for local owners of renewable energy generators and the local economy.
Commenting on the partnership between 3T Power and Smiley Monroe Thomas Kelso, Director, 3T Power said, “We are proud to acknowledge the efforts Smiley Monroe has taken to support their local economy and environment by switching to wind electricity supplied by 3T Power. We are the only electricity supply company in Northern Ireland dedicated to providing local businesses with 100% renewable electricity generated locally.
“Working closely with our network of local renewable generators and our corporate clients, we connect environmentally conscious Northern Irish businesses with locally-generated renewable electricity, offering 100% traceability for our customers. Not only does switching to 3T Power help to grow our clients’ reputations as environmentally conscious and sustainable businesses, it also supports the local economy as the power purchased is produced by independent wind turbine operators. It’s clear that Smiley Monroe’s core values have driven its ongoing success, and 3T Power are proud to play a part in that.”
Reflecting on his company’s decision to partner with market disruptors 3T Power, Tim Monroe, Marketing Director, Smiley Monroe added, “Our business is part of a global supply chain, so we’re delighted to support local innovation. We’re very aware of the impact of global warming and the need for Smiley Monroe to help lead the way to a greener future by doing everything we can to minimise our carbon footprint.”
Commenting on Smiley Monroe’s first year of partnership with 3T Power, Mary Lilley, Head of Procurement at Smiley Monroe added, “We have enjoyed the benefits of using green energy and working alongside 3T Power and we are delighted to have confirmed our partnership for another year, showing our commitment to the exclusive use of renewable energy.”
One of the UK and Ireland’s premiere manufacturers of bespoke joinery and fitted furniture, Maghera-based Specialist Joinery Group has transitioned to a fully green electricity supply, exclusively generated in Northern Ireland and supplied by 3T Power. Through this partnership SJG have not only re-committed to their ‘green’ ethos but are also supporting independent electricity generators and the local Northern Ireland economy.
The confirmation of this renewable electricity supply contract partnership will enable the team at SJG to reduce the carbon output of its 145,000 square foot manufacturing facility by over 360,000kg per year whilst also ensuring long-term savings through the confirmation of a low-cost, secure energy tariff. Their partnership follows recommendations by the United Nations-UK’s Climate 2020 publication to ensure that the post-Covid-19 recovery is one that values green principles to ensure a more sustainable future and falls in line with the Department for the Economy’s objective to reach a net carbon goal of zero by 2050 as part of its new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland.
Known for their-quality delivery of high-end projects and their ethical approach to projects, SJG have worked with well-known brands across the UK and Ireland including Google, Estee Lauder, University College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast, Bank of Ireland, and Aer Lingus amongst many others.
Discussing the confirmation of the partnership with 3T Power and SJG Shauna Forbes, Director, 3T Power said, “As the only electricity supply company in Northern Ireland dedicated to providing local businesses with 100% renewable electricity generated locally, we are delighted to act as the conduit between Specialist Joinery Group and our network of local renewable generators to ensure that the organisation not only meets its goals to become a more environmentally sustainable organisation but also supports the local economy by purchasing power produced by independent wind turbine operators.”
The long-term partnership between SJG and 3T Power has marked an important step in SJG’s company-wide strategy to protect the environment, which includes the use of renewable energy at its heart. Champions of sustainability, the 100-person business has also adopted usage of a woodwaste burner to utilise waste generated at the factory, installed a solar panel system which generates 50% of the facility’s electricity needs, and invested heavily in the planting of trees. Further plans for the organisation include incorporation of bee farming on-site, extension of the solar panel system, and similar woodwaste boiler systems implemented as other factories are developed.
Speaking on the company’s decision to partner with pioneering renewable energy supplier 3T Power Ciaran O’Hagan, Managing Director, Specialist Joinery Group, added: “At Specialist, we have a company-wide strategy to protect our environment. With a strong farming background and a love of the land and of nature, it makes sense to translate this into business practice also. The use of renewable energy has been at the heart of this strategy and the partnership with 3T closes the loop on all the environmental actions we have been taking to date in our environmental excellence plan.”