Regen SW Hits 200 Member Milestone as Renewable Energy Booms

The leading renewable energy centre, Regen SW, has hit a new milestone with the 200th organisation joining to support its mission to enable groundbreaking renewable energy projects and low carbon jobs. This achievement, reached in just 15 months, comes as new figures show renewable energy share of electricity generated jumped from 7 to 9.5% across the UK in 2011.1

Members range from leading international firms such as Garrad Hassan and Arup to growing small businesses such as Marine Current Turbines, Sungift Solar and Falmouth Divers. Major local landowners such as the Duchy of Cornwall and local authorities such as Devon, Cornwall and Bristol councils have also signed up.

Michael Huntingford, Chairman of Regen SW said “The growth of Regen SW’s membership is a ringing endorsement of the importance and impact of Regen SW’s work to develop renewable energy and support the growth of thriving local businesses in this rapidly developing sector.” Michael Huntingford, Chairman of Regen SW

Merlin Hyman, chief executive of Regen SW, said: “Renewable energy is a huge economic opportunity employing over 10,000 people in the south west, as well as a source of secure and sustainable energy. By bringing together the strength of 200 companies and public bodies we can deliver pioneering projects that demonstrate what can be achieved, and unlock new investment.”

Regen’s pioneering projects include:
• Communities for Renewables: to enable community led renewable energy
• South West Marine Energy Park: developing the offshore renewable energy supply chain
• SW Bioheat: backing the development of sustainable local biomass to replace oil heating
• Green Deal accelerator: to support south west business to make the most of this huge opportunity for new jobs

Notes to editors

1.DECC’s energy statistics for 2011 show the proportion of renewable energy of overall generation in 2011 jumped from 6.8 to 9.5%
www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_032/pn12_032.aspx
 

For further information
Please contact Rachel Hayes, Regen SW events and membership manager on 01392 494399 or email rhayes@regensw.co.uk
 

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