Local business has a major role to play in driving renewable energy innovation.

NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots highlighted the part that enterprise needs to play when he visited a local firm helping to provide a solution to sustainable home heating. Transen Sustainable Energy Systems specialise in the manufacture of ground source heat pumps which need only an electricity power supply to produce space heating and cooling and domestic hot water.

Speaking after a tour of the company's plant in Coleraine, the Minister said: "This company is just one of the many local businesses who are at the forefront at driving innovation in the renewable energy sector.

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"The technology that they manufacture is generally regarded as a cost effective, safe and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels for both domestic and certain commercial applications.

"Only recently I published PPS18 and its associated Best Practice Guidance which provides bespoke information on this particular technology which can often be installed without having to apply for planning permission," he continued.

Later in the day the Minister visited a residence in Armoy to view a Transen heat installation in operation.

He said: "Besides the benefits to the consumer in cheaper fuel bills, and the obvious environmental benefits in reducing carbon emissions, the increased use of such technologies provide significant opportunities for local firms to use their extensive skills and knowledge to further develop our local renewable energy industry."

(BMcC/GK)