by Karen Arbuckle | Apr 27, 2015 | News
NICE were delighted to facilitate a North West community event at the YMCA Londonderry/Derry in liaison with the YMCA and Co-Operative Alternatives. The event allowed NICE to showcase its community energy project, engaging & working in partnership with local communities to establish & develop community owned renewable energy projects. Karen Arbuckle, Nice Director explained “traditional energy companies aim to maximise their profit that reaches only a small number of individuals whereas NICE as a community owned co-operative is based on a decentralised & far more equitable model that helps the environment, helps the local community, & is built upon principles of fairness. This is an investment in sustainable energy resources for the benefit of future generations”. She added “NICE is run by members of the local community for the benefit of the local community”. Jo Bird of Co-Operative Alternatives explained the Co-operative models & how similar projects such as NICE could be established. She advised “Co-operatives are democratic enterprises trading for the benefit of a community and its membership. Their focus is local & their practice is based on the co-operative values of equality, fairness & solidarity”. NICE brought its community share offer to fruition through Co-Operative Alternatives that have been commissioned by the Building Change Trust to deliver the “Community Shares, Ready!” programme of support, an alternative financing model that is suitable for many community groups, charities and social enterprises. YMCA Londonderry the latest third sector organisation to contract & benefit from NICE Co-Ops free solar PV installation generously hosted our North West event & were both happy to promote our initiative & appreciative of the benefit that they as a...
by Karen Arbuckle | Apr 16, 2015 | News
Want to come along just simply click this button and register your...
by Karen Arbuckle | Apr 16, 2015 | News
The Ashton Centre, Belfast is in the process of becoming one of NICE next 3rd sector organisation members. In so doing Ashton Centre will benefit from our free solar PV installation initiative plus enjoy significantly reduced electricity at a fixed rate for the next 20 years & be a member of NI’s first solar community energy co-operative! NICE has over 20 interested, Northern Ireland, 3rd sector organisations, at various stages in its pipeline, wishing to benefit from NICE local community energy renewable technology initiativeS – HOWEVER it is a case of ‘first come first served’ i.e. those organisations that can sign up to the final contract, will & are being processed by NICE for PV installation in date priority order. NICE target capital is £150k which will enable the Co-Op to undertake up to 9 installations and establish a community fund for roll-over into creating further community energy projects. Having extended the community share offer until 30th April – our investment total is currentlyjust over £100k – a fantastic achievement in a relatively short period. With you, or your organisation, association, groups interest & support we can reach our £150k target! Please take a look at our website http://www.nicommunityenergy.org/ & community share offer direct link http://www.nicommunityenergy.org/…/Community-Shares-Offer-D…. you can help NICE make a...
by Karen Arbuckle | Apr 4, 2015 | News
A sparkling gem in Co Down supports NICE NICE Directors Anne Ford and Karen Arbuckle with Tiziana O’Hara journeyed to Ballyroney, Co. Down for the purpose of making Steve Golemboski-Byrne’s acquaintance. Steve has been the “man behind the scenes” who developed the NICE web presence and has been a great supporter of NICE from day one. NICE wanted to say a big thanks to Steve and during the visit learnt so much about Lackan Cottage Farm. Lackan Cottage Farm is a permaculture smallholding which enjoys a spectacular situation and beautiful vista of the Mourne Mountains. It is obvious why Steve and Claire fell in love with this property over three years ago now and decided to make it their home. Their smallholding features natural building, eco-renovation, renewable energies, permaculture gardens, forest gardens, regenerated & newly planted native coppice woodlands, waste water treatment systems, rainwater harvesting, small livestock & horses. A practical, lived-in permaculture demonstration site. Steve says “reusing, recycling and reducing our ecological footprint means coming up with creative solutions to everyday problems. We have a constantly evolving design and our skills are ever developing with it as we implement and experience different techniques and ideas in organic food production, sustainable living and self-sufficiency”. Claire added “we are establishing a way of life that embraces a high degree of self-sufficiency in energy, food, water and waste that allows us to live first and work second. Integral to our enterprise is the help and assistance we get from local and international volunteers. Without their input, managing many aspects of our smallholding would be challenging to say the least”. Claire also...
by Karen Arbuckle | Apr 2, 2015 | News, One Planet Development
NICE has received very welcome confirmation from HMRC that our community energy share offer has been granted Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme Advance Assurance. This means if a UK taxpayer any investment in Northern Ireland Community Energy Co-Operative will qualify for SEIS tax relief currently 50% A great incentive to become a member of NICE! NICE members and potential new investors should take their own financial and tax advice and are responsible for submitting your own tax relief applications to calculate freelance tax. Please refer to the HMRC website for further information...
