Show puts renewables businesses directly in front of landowners and other buyers

South west event taps huge potential customer base

An innovative renewables ‘marketplace’ will put renewables companies in front of a ready-made audience of new customers in March 2012.

The Renewable Energy Marketplace – which takes place on 8 March 2012 at Westpoint arena, near Exeter – will put those that manufacture, sell and install renewables technologies in front of famers and landowners, local authorities, the tourism industry, the construction sector, and the general public.

Over 1200 customers attended the event in March 2011, testament to the growing interest in the sector. Many exhibitors said that they were overwhelmed by the response from potential customers and were inundated with enquiries and orders.

Merlin Hyman, Regen SW chief executive, said: “We get a lot of enquiries from people – be they landowners, members of the public, or local authorities – who want to get install renewable technologies and want to know more about what their next steps should be – but they’re not sure what their next step should be. This event will present a solution to them, providing them with information, education, and a whole raft of solutions from renewables companies that can help them start their journey.”

Renewable Energy marketplace will centre around a large exhibition that will cover all renewables technologies. The event will also include a series of short-but-detailed workshops covering the different technologies and their benefits, details of the government incentives and remaining grant opportunities, and also further detail for those already pushing ahead with projects.

Merlin added: “There are now in excess 10,000 people employed in the renewables sector in the south west,” said Merlin Hyman, chief executive of Regen SW “and there were over 16,000 installations of solar PVs in the last 12 months. A clear indication of how fast this sector is growing. We’re confident that this growth is going to continue throughout all renewables technologies and we want to help businesses make the most of the opportunities.”

The event, which is run by Regen SW, includes partnerships with NFU, Mole Valley Farmers, Forestry Commission, Confor, Energy Saving Trust and Western Morning News.

Companies that wish to exhibit or sponsor the event should contact Rachel Hayes, Regen SW’s events and membership manager on rhayes@regensw.co.uk, 01392 494 399, or visit www.regensw.co.uk/events/.

The day’s seminars will include:

A general introduction to renewable energy technologies
Info on technologies, incentives and grants
An impartial overview of the different renewable energy technologies, including their various pros and cons. It will also include information on the government’s new financial incentives for renewable energy - the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). It will be a useful introduction for those who are considering renewable energy for the first time or are unsure which is the best renewable energy technology for them.

Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) & the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
More detailed information about the government’s financial incentives for renewable energy, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and the latest on the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs). This will include how the incentives work, the tariff levels for the different technologies, the eligibility criteria, and how they interact with any other available funding. It will be of interest to people looking at the possibility of combining FITs or RHI with other grant funding or people considering installing renewable energy from an investment perspective.

Individual workshops on specific renewable energy technologies
Find out much more about specific renewable energy technologies, including the potential income they could generate for you. Workshops will be held on the following technologies: biomass, heat pumps, hydro, solar PV, AD, solar thermal and wind. Presented by independent experts on each technology they will be ideal for those who are either considering installing, or for those who just want to know more about a specific technology.

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Notes to editors

Interviews
To interview Merlin Hyman or any member of Regen SW, contact on the number below.

About Regen SW
Regen SW is a not for profit company working to enable business, local authorities and other organisations to deliver renewable energy and energy efficiency and build a prosperous low-carbon economy in the south west of England. www.regensw.co.uk

For further information
Please contact Merlin Hyman, chief Executive, Regen SW mhyman@regensw.co.uk or call 01392 494 399