by Cye Bannon | Mar 29, 2015 | News, One Planet Development, Top Stories
NI Community Energy (NICE) as at 24th March has raised £78,700 in the 20 days since first launching the share offer! The Board convey their thanks to the local community and those further afield in Europe who have invested in NICE – the first solar community owned co-operative in Northern Ireland. The Board are delighted with the response received so far. However, we are not yet there. NICE still aims to install as many PV solar panels as our target share capital amount will allow so the Board has unanimously decided to extend the share offer deadline to 30th April 2015. More time gives the Board a further opportunity to promote the share offer – since we sensed a growth of interest in NICE, and more time means more opportunities to democratise our project. Extending the deadline also makes good business sense. If NICE raises its £150k capital via shares it will mean less reliance on borrowing from financial institutions that will, of course, result in better returns to the Community Fund and the shareholders, too! The Board also considered the recent Budget 2015 announcement (https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/budget-2015) in which the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme was providentially extended for at least a further 6 months for qualifying organisations. As you know, NICE is seeking advanced approval for SEIS from HMRC and if granted, this means eligible shareholders can claim tax relief of 50% of the value of their shares. As a result of the Budget extension, this relief will also apply for shares subscribed for and issued after the 5th April 2015. For the avoidance of doubt, please note that...
by oneplanetni | Mar 6, 2015 | News
On the 3rd March, NICE launched their share offer in Stormont. The launch was hosted by the All Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals and Chair, Steven Agnew said “ said “I am delighted to help launch this exciting Community Share offer. It is important that the benefit of public investment in renewable energy technology reaches as many people as possible including those who may be fuel poor. I am delighted that NICE will be investing any funds raised from this scheme into community energy saving initiatives to tackle fuel poverty. Schemes like this ensure that renewable energy investments provide a return for our economy and our community, as well as contributing to efforts to tackle climate...
