by Karen Arbuckle | May 22, 2015 | News
Local installers completed NICE 2nd free Solar PV array this week on the building of the Chinese Welfare Association, Stranmillis Embankment, Belfast. Chinese Welfare Association, Managing Director, William Olphert, a keen advocate of renewable energy is delighted for their organisation to be a part of NICE Co-Op. In the coming days there will be further news and pictures at Chinese Welfare Association & details regarding forthcoming plans for a community information meeting there. The NICE team has been extremely busy these last few weeks in taking forward this and our other projects, putting members investment to work as quickly as we can. The quicker we complete our planned installations the sooner we can enjoy the benefits in what is now peak solar generation period. The process for our installations is a relatively simple one – on completion of relevant agreements we liaise with local installers regarding schedules and best value quotations. We have installations now scheduled for YMCA, Londonderry, Whitehead Community Association, and Rath Mor Centre, Derry. We are in final stage agreement with a number of other locations and will bring news of those developments as they...
by Karen Arbuckle | May 17, 2015 | One Planet Development
NICE showcased their community energy project @ Co-Operative Alternatives Clinic, Big Table Event-9th May 2015, Belfast.
by Karen Arbuckle | May 7, 2015 | News, Top Stories
We are very pleased to announce that we have raised £127,450 to date – 85% of our target! We thank you all for your contributions. The Board discussed the advantages of extending the share offer and agreed that a few more weeks can help us to reach our target of 150k and fulfil our plan to complete solar installations on 9 community buildings. To date 6 community groups have signed up with NICE and we have received in excess of 30 expressions of interest from other local community groups and social enterprises. The following are those in this final stage agreement process for solar installation:- the Chinese Welfare Association, Rath Mor Creggan Enterprise Centre in Derry, Ashton Development Centre, YMCA Londonderry in addition to Mediation NI and Whitehead Community Association. The new share offer closing date is on the Tuesday, the 23rd June or the day that we reach the target amount. If you want to help us to spread the news, please do feel free to do so. As members you share ownership of NICE so please do not hesitate to contact us with any comments and ideas and we are happy to meet with any individual or group to talk about NICE and its project. In the coming weeks there are a number of local community events NICE plan to attend to share and talk about what we are doing. Details of when and where we will be shall be posted on our social media pages and news page of the website. Please feel free to join us at any of these events so we can put more faces to...
by Karen Arbuckle | May 7, 2015 | News
Karen Arbuckle, NICE Director is joining the Co-Operative Alternatives Clinic @ THE OPEN SOURCE 2015 EVENT which takes place at the Big Table – a temporary intervention on Lower Garfield Street, Belfast on Saturday 9th May @ 12 noon. Tiziana O’Hara, Director Co-Operative Alternatives is facilitating this clinic. Have an idea about a co-operative? Want to know what you need to set it up? Need to find out more about co-ops and how they work? Not sure if a co-op model will be suitable? Take the opportunity and come to this clinic & get some information & tips on the spot. NICE is presenting as one of the most recent co-operatives currently supported by Co-Operative Alternatives. Karen will be available on Saturday to share and answer any questions on NICE user experience & how the Co-Op was assisted and supported in bringing its community energy enterprise to fruition. The Open Source brings vibrancy to a vacant property and provides space for free workshops, performances and exchange of ideas throughout the day and into the early evening. Run by volunteers and made possible by the donation of the space, furniture, equipment and the artists’ time, The Open Source relies on the spirit of collectivism and collaboration to provide a dynamic and creative hub. The hub of The Open Source 2015 is Lower Garfield St Belfast. The street will be buzzing with music, art, theatre, workshops, good food, interesting discussions, laughter and craic. All events at The Open Source are open to the public and free to attend. No booking is required but spaces are limited so arriving early is advised....
