SHREC video panel focuses on renewables’ role during Covid-19 pandemic and climate change emergency
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A celebration of the renewables industry across the Highlands and Islands will be beamed into people's homes next week as a long-established event goes digital.
This year's Scottish Highland Renewable Energy Conference (SHREC) has been postponed until September 24, but organisers have been keeping their focus on the original date of April 30.
That's because a video version of the conference, which is taking place for the 11th year in 2020, has been recorded and will be sent to delegates next Friday.
Nicky Marr, who is set to host the related Highlands and Islands Renewable Energy Awards on the same date in September, also chairs a panel discussion on the video.
It involves Terry Stebbings, the co-founder of Proterra Energy, which was set up in 2012 to design and install micro hydro schemes in Scotland, and Ryan Felber, energy efficiency business advisor for Zero Waste Scotland's Energy Efficiency Business Support, which aims to help SMEs save money and reduce their environmental impact.
Nicky also interviews George Baxter, director of development at Green Power International, one of the leading independent renewable energy developers in the UK, as part of the virtual SHREC package.
She said: "George was terrific. He is all about climate change and he says the coronavirus pandemic has taken the focus off it, but the climate change emergency is still there.
"Of course he's hoping a lot of what we're learning now about remote working and online meetings is going to help all of that."
Nicky said the panel discussion was "well worth a listen" and raised some interesting points, particularly around the role renewables are already playing in the coronavirus lockdown.
She added: "One of the things Terry talks about is that a lot of people say they would love to have time to think about renewables but are too busy running the business to look into it.
"So at this time when you may not have as many customers or it may be a quieter time, it would be a really good time to think about the energy useage of the business.
"There's also the realisation that those companies which have already switched to renewables are more resilient in this climate because they are not having to shell out for huge electricity bills.
"Even those which just have done an energy-efficiency survey and have switched to low-energy light bulbs or put in more insulation, their outgoings are much less too."
The free-to-access video package is being brought to viewers by SHREC organiser Harper Macleod. You can register for virtual SHREC by emailing Anne Macdonald on anne.macdonald@harpermacleod.co.uk
Meanwhile, Nicky is being supported at the Highlands and Islands Renewable Energy Awards – which are organised by Highland News & Media – by host sponsor GA Barnie.
Stephen Boyle, Barres section manager at the firm, said: “The renewables industry is continually growing in the Highlands.
"It will have a key part to play in the government's targets for CO2 reduction going forward and we at GA Barnie group take an active part in it through our renewables company Barres and heat pump partner Ochsner Heat Pump Services.
"There is a lot of good work being done in the Highlands and Islands and we think it’s a good idea to showcase the outstanding achievements in this vibrant sector.”
