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 | Apr 16, 2015 | News
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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 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...
