First ever energy summit leads to Energy Forum being established

At the end of January 2006 Jeremy hosted the first ever Borders Energy Summit at Heriot Watt University in Galashiels. The event aimed to open up the energy debate in the Borders.

Commenting on the weekend, Jeremy said:

“I am delighted the weekend was a huge success, with hundreds of people attending the Sunday event arranged so well by the Southern Upland Partnership. Energy issues affect every constituent, whether it is fuel poverty where older people struggle to pay their energy bills or people concerned about planning of wind farms or opposed to new nuclear power stations.

“On Saturday we had 50 experts, academics and local body leaders come together to discuss the way forward for an energy strategy in the Borders. This should include waste management, recyling and renewables energy.

“In particular, I am very pleased that the main conclusion of these discussions was to move ahead and set up a Borders Energy Forum to take forward concrete steps for sustainable energy in the Borders.”

Hundreds of visitors

During the event over 500 people visited the Renewable Energy Fair where they learnt about solar panels, photovoltaic cells, geothermal heat-pump systems, mini wind turbines and micro hydroelectric power, as well as energy efficiency measures.
Exhibitors from across the UK were on hand to explain their products and services. A series of seminars put the technologies into context and those aimed at householders attracted the most interest. Seminar rooms were packed for talks on making use of solar energy; using wood pellet boilers and using small wind-turbines to harness wind energy. Energy efficiency was also promoted and advisers were on hand to explain current grant schemes.

The Sunday event was jointly organised by the Southern Uplands Partnership and the Scottish Borders Rural Partnership. Several visitors called for the event to be repeated and the possibility of making it an annual event is now being considered.