Cllr Enright strongly believes that renewable energy is key to a sustainable economic and environmental future.
Barriers do currently exist which are preventing renewable energy- both large scale and micro-generation- from attaining parity with conventional fuels and so achieving its full potential.
TO SEE WHY I HAVE CAMPAIGNED ON THIS ISSUE FOR 15 YEARS CLICK HERE
LATEST CAMPAIGN NEWS
Campaign Update July 2013
Entry for July goes here
post next entry here
Campaign Update June 2013
CLICK HERE > New Scientist Predicts up to half bird species will be lost to global warming
Ongoing reports about loss of natural diversity must drive us to make the switch to renewable energy
Campaign Update May 2013
Unnecessary planning restrictions finally removed click here to see full story
Councilor Cadogan Enright has welcomed as “long overdue” this week’s announcement by the Department of the Environment that schools, businesses and farm buildings will no longer need planning permission for solar panels.
SEE LINK TO MINISTERS STATEMENT HERE
SEE NEW REGULATION HERE IN “PART 37INSTALLATION OF NON DOMESTIC MICROGENERATION EQUIPMENT
Campaign Update April 14th 2013
Free Electricity flows from Photo Voltaic Meeting in Ballyhornan
It was clear from the meeting that the Ballyhornan Family centre could rent out its roof in exchange for free electricity.
Campaign Update April 2013
Farmers Finally get to meet head planner
For over 6 months the new head of planning refused to meet local farmers. Finally in early April the meeting took place see link here.
Campaign Update March / April 2013
Trainor Family pledge Community Contribution
In addition to pledging land towards the new Ballyhornan 3G pitch, local farming family have promised a ‘community contribution’ of £5000 for every megawatt of power capacity they get planning permission for. see link here
Campaign Update March 2013
Poorest in society being deprived of the ability to escape fuel poverty
It is hard to believe that where a Minister is advised that well-meaning policy has negative side effects that could be easily fixed with little or no cost, you have to wonder why his staff dont help him or her to do the right thing – the reflex to write back a letter confirming the status quo seems reflex in the public service in N.I. despite better pay and conditions compared to the private sector where such slothfulness would not be tolerated. click here to see what you think yourself
Campaign Update March 2013
DUP SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY
for article click here At a meeting organized by Cllr Cadogan Enright between DUP councillors and local farmers, the DUP councillors on Down Council were forthright in their support of Lecale farmers in thier struggles against planning and regulatory obstacles blocking local family farms diversifying into renewable energy.
Campaign Update February 2013
PV Success marred by bureauocracy
Councilor Cadogan Enright has welcomed the potential of new schemes promoting photo-voltaic energy in the home to dive down living costs and create a better standard of living for householders but has expressed concern that NIE and other big players in the power industry are using regulation to stifle the growth of small-scale renewable energy, and has accused the regulator Ofgem of failing to implement best practice commonly used in other jurisdictions., to read article click here
Campaign Update January 2013 see article in this link
Chris Hazzard MLA backs local farmers Chris Hazzard MLA and Cllr Stephen Burns Down SF leader back local farmers as part of the campaign to allow local farmers the same rights to windpower as developers and farmers in other parts of Northern Ireland
Campaign Update December 2012 see article by clicking here
MLA John McCallister backs local farmers
Local Farmers meet John McCallister at a meeting organised at Down District Council by Cadogan Enright. John was accompanied by his UUP councillors who like John are farmers themselves.
Following Meeting with Environment Minister Farmers seek meeting with planners
Edward Carson of Tryella said, “We want the planning office in Rathketer House in Downpatrick to reflect what is happening across N.I. and in G.B. There is a fear that the planning system favors developers and Multinational companies. These people can afford barristers to challenge the planners, and normally get a ‘free run’ though the planning system compared to ourselves. The new off-shore windfarm proposal for our area is a case in point, does anyone believe that they will be denied planning or not be able to get a grid connection?”
Campaign Update October 2012 see article
Farmers Explore farm diversification projects at meeting chaired by Cllr Cadogan Enright
As part of Down District Farmers for renewable energy they are investigating anerobic digestion
Campaign Update September 2012
Campaign for Lecale farmers takes off
Campaign Update August 2012 see article
Fracking makes no sense in Ireland. Ireland is totally unsuited to the process of hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’ to extract natural gas, according to the best-selling author of a book on the global oil and gas industry. Greg Palast, a renowned investigative journalist, said there was “no chance whatsoever” that US regulators would allow the controversial process in the kind of terrain for which it is proposed in Ireland
Campaign Update July 2012
Interview with Down Recorder Extracts from a statement made by Cllr Enright to Down Recorder on special 3-page supplement of the growing importance of renewable energy in Down.
Campaign Update June 6th 2012
Meeting with Ulster Farmers Union
Following several months of ‘mercurial’ planning decisions against Farmers in County Down, I mangaged to put a large number of planning decisions on hold, pending a meeting to thrash out how policy was being interpreted in County Down between the Head Planner Cliffiord McIlwaine and reps from the UFU.
Ahead of this meeting, I set up a meeting with the UFU in Down Council for a large number of local farmers to highlight specific cases where local farmers are being disadvantaged vis-a-vis large development companies.
See the link to the detail here;
Campaign Update March 14th 2012
Council Management claim credit
Amazingly, after years of pressure from myself and others, and after foot-dragging over the wind-turbine, poo-pooing aerobic digestors and delaying the methane-gas installation, council management finally catch up with everyone else – no mention of the fact that they were dragged to this point over several years. To see this cutting click here
Campaign Update February 2012
Cadogan wins rates battle over Renewable energy funds
Here is one of several press cuttings relating to the final result after over 18 months of campaigning over recognising income from renewables at Drumnakelly and reducing the massive over-provision for reserves.
Campaign Update January 2012
‘Notice of Motion’ on renewable energy at Drumnakelly Dump
Following reluctance by the Policy and Resources and rates working party to recognise the possibility of releasing millions of pounds in reserves by recognising income from renewable energy, I put down this formal ‘notice of motion’ for debate in January’s council meeting.
PURPOSE : Freeze Rates for next 3 years by mirroring other councils policies on reserves.
Council notes that current estimates project a double-digit increase in rates over the next 4 years in the face of the worst recession since the 1930’s. Council and resolves to take action to freeze rates for the next 3 years by;
- Reducing our year end cash reserves in line with Newry and Mourne, releasing £4.3 million in the current financial year.
- Reduce the decommissioning over-provision at Drumnakelly from 60 years to a more normal 30 years releasing a further £1.9 million in the current financial year.
- Implement 2 renewable energy projects in Drumnakelly in this financial or the next financial year and release a further £1.9 million.
This £8.1 million is in the region of 40% of councils annual turnover, greater than our projected rates increases. It would also allow council to reverse many of last years smaller front-line service cut-backs and avoid similar cut-backs this year.
Cllr Cadogan Enright 04/01/11
Campaign Update December 2011
Campaigning for Renewable Energy in Down – via the Audit Committee in council!!
I finally won an 18 month battle for renewable energy with the help of the internal and external auditor, and the Audit committee. This had become so serious that I had refused to sign-off on the council accounts for the 2010 year, on the grounds that they were not taking future Renewable Energy incomes into account – while massively over-providing for cash reserves – by more than £4 Million pounds.
By December 2011, it has become crystal clear that;
1. We should be counting future revenues from Gas from Drumnakelly dump giving us up to £120k pa for more than 20 years
2. That were we to strike a contract on wind-energy we could count another £65k per annum
3. We had massively over-provided for decommissioning at Drumnakelly because of this and another technical reason.
I sought to argue that Councils cash reserves should therefore be reduced from an all-time high of £10.5 million down to a more realistic £3 Million – and would allow us to freeze rates for 3/4 years.
see the full story at http://enright.ie/wp-admin/post.php?post=4128&action=edit
Campaign Update November 2011
McGinns get planning permission after 2 years of a wait
I was delighted that the McGinns finally got planning permission for their turbine above Castlewellan after 2 years.
This campaign actually required canvassing of the planning service (see below) for local policy to start reflecting UK National policy as all farmers and developers we being hit with a ‘blanket no’ thoughout the district.
The Eastern part of N.Ireland is being badly affected by planning restrictions – even in areas where the planners themselves have highlighted as being ideal for wind development – this makes no sense.
Campaign Update October 2011
Inventor seeks support in Killough
Local Killough inventor Rob Wiseman has moved to reassure local residents over recent press reports of a wind turbine in Millfield in Killough. He contacted Cllr Cadogan Enright and they have visited concerned residents in the area.
Councilor Cadogan Enright explained that “this was a misunderstanding arising from discussions between council and Mr. Wiseman over finding a site to test a totally new form of wind turbine that rotates within a flat disc and does not look like a windmill. Because of low vibration, silent operation and a low profile it would be an ideal device to sit on top of buildings in urban areas.
Campaign Update September 2011
Grid Connectivity and Sustainable Farming in Lecale
Edward and James Carson run a top-flight farming business, growing their own feedstock for their pigs that are sold all over the UK. They grow and mill their own feed and have put up a wind turbine to power this process and to heat the pig-pen floors. I have campaigned for grid-connectivity for this business and am aware of their family’s long-standing commitment to sustainable development.
Campaign Update August 2011
Wind Turbines, Conservationists and Environmentalists
A letter that Cllr Cadogan Enright sent to the Down Recorder with regards the emerging debate between Environmentalists and Conservationists on the issue of Wind Turbines on the South Down Coast.
Click here to read the letter.
Campaign Update July 2011
Interview with Down Recorder on why local businesses in Down are having so much trouble getting planning permission for renewable energy installations
Extracts from a statement made by Cllr Enright to Down Recorder on special 3-page suppliment ofn the growing importance of renewable energy in Down. The Suppliment emphasised the increasing economic importance of cheap renewable energy to local firms seeking to remain competitive by getting planning permission for wind turbines to power their businesses. click here for more info
Campaign Update June 2011
ENRIGHT FINDS £3 MILLION EXTRA FOR COUNCIL BUDGET THROUGH RENEWABLES?
Councillor Cadogan Enright believes there is the potential to create between £200,000 and £400,000 per annum of potential income from renewable energy and landfill gas at the Drumnakelly Landfill site”.
Campaign Update May 20th 2011
ENRIGHT WELCOMES GAINS BY LOCAL FARMERS at ROSSGLASS and MINERSTOWN
Lecale Councillor Cadogan Enright welcomed the lifting of an effective ban by planners at Rathkelter House on local farmers trying to benefit from UK renewable energy policy.
Cadogan was attending the erection of the new turbine on Montgomery’s farm on the Lecale coast with Veteran Green and Farming Expert Bill Corry. Bill said “It is better for the money to be in the pockets of local farmers than in the pocket of Colonel Kaddafi or Vladimir Putin. There is no future in imported fossil fuels, and farmers need new sources of income.”
Campaign Update April 20th 2011
ENRIGHT WARNS LOCAL BUSINESSES TO ACT NOW TO AVOID CARBON EMISSIONS STEALTH TAX
South Down Councillor Cadogan Enright is warning local businesses to prepare now for a tax on their carbon emissions set to be introduced in April next year.
Campaign Update March 2011
MINISTERIAL ‘DITHERING’ OVER ENERGY COSTING NI HOUSEHOLDERS £2250 PER YEAR SAYS ENRIGHT
MLA Candidate Cadogan Enright has angrily hit out at the Northern Ireland Assembly’s failure to copy UK government’s standard fuel incentives for hard-pressed home and business owners to switch to cheaper local renewable energy systems.
Campaign Update February 20th 2011
ENRIGHT WELCOMES PUBLICATION OF REPORT INTO BARRIERS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
Cllr Enright has welcomed the publication of the report by the DETI Committee of their report into barriers to the development of renewable energy production. Cllr Enright organised a submission to this inquiry highlighting the issues raised by their camapignagainst obstacles to renewable energy and were encouraged to read that the Committee members supported many of their points. The DETI Committee report including the submission can be read here.
Campaign Update January 20th 2011
ENRIGHT SLAMS SAMMY WILSON’S FINANCIAL ‘SLIGHT OF HAND’ IN INSULATION SCHEME
South Down Councillor Cadogan Enright has issued a warning regarding the details contained in the draft budget concerning the Finance Minister perceived commitment of £4 million each year for four years to fund a proposal retro-fitting insulation scheme for thousands of homes across Northern Ireland under the ‘Green New Deal’.
To read more – Click Here
Campaign Update January 7th 2011
Double Triumph for Co. Down with Green Energy
South Down Councillor Cadogan Enright has congratulated Marine Current Turbine (MCT) for winning the prize for Tidal Energy Competitiveness 2010 at the first International Tidal Energy Summit Awards held in London last month. The company picked up the prestigious award
for SeaGen – a 1.2MW tidal turbine located in Strangford Lough.
Campaign Update October 19th 2010
Cadogan Enright welcomes acquisition of NIE as a “move towards renewables”
Cllr Cadogan Enright has welcomed news that the state-owned electricity supplier in the Republic of Ireland, ESB, is to purchase Northern ireladn Electricity as a step towards an all-island electricity system based on renewable energy.
To read the press release click here.
Campaign Update September 23rd 2010
Cllr Enright responds to renewables obligation policy consultation
Cllr Cadogan Enright has organised a submission to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s consultation on proposed changes to the NIRO. The document reflects support for renewable energy as an economic and environmental imperative for NI.
Campaign Update August 20th 2010
ENRIGHT SUPPORTS NEW WAVE TURBINE TESTING IN STRANGFORD LOUGH
Cadogan Enright has written in support for a proposal by Queens University Belfast to trial a new wave energy generator in Strangford Lough as a vital step towards developing renewable energy resources and improving the economic potential of Northern Ireland through indigenous research and development. To read more click here
QUB wave generator support letter
Click this DOC to view the letter of support from Cllr Enright for the QUB proposal to install and test a new wave energy generator in Strangford Lough which could help revolutionise energy generation. Cllr Enright is a member of the Strangford Lough Management Committee and expresses his support for this plan.
Campaign Update August 1st 2010
LAUNCH OF GREEN BUILD WEBSITE
Cllr Cadogan Enright attended an event in Dundalk at which Minister for the Environment John Gormley launched a new ‘sustain and build’ website for green construction.
To view the press release click here
Campaign Update July 27th 2010
RENEWABLE ENERGY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ULSTER FARMERS
Cllr Cadogan Enright has called for incentives recently been introduced in the Republic to be extended to Northern Ireland as a means of supporting new sources of farming income and tackling energy needs.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Campaign Update July 27th 2010
GREEN ENERGY PLEA TO PLANNERS
Senior planners have been asked to help local businesses reach renewable energy targets. The request was made at a recent meeting between local politicians, planners and renewable energy businesses, organised by Cllr Enright.
TO READ THE FULL STORY CLICK HERE
Campaign Update June 21st 2010
ENRIGHT SAYS GREEN NEW DEAL COULD SPARK REVIVAL OF ECONOMY
Cllr Enright called for the NI Executive to support the ‘Green New Deal’. ‘He explained that the Confederation of British Industry N.I. has pointed out that 10% of N.I. income is spent on foreign fossil fuels. They called for a construction program to “green” our building stock and to produce more local energy. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Ulster Farmers Union agreed and estimated that around 24,000 new jobs could be created plus huge spin-offs for the agricultural sector. To read more click here
Green New Deal click this link to read a summary of the Green New Deal, what it means and how it can help to create jobs and secure a clean energy future for NI.
Campaign Update May 7th 2010
SUCCESSFUL MEETING GIVES HOPE FOR WIND TURBINES IN DOWN DISTRICT
Following a meeting between the Planning Service, Down Councillors and local renewable energy businesses, more clarity was given on renewable energy policy and its application in Down. To read Cllr Enright’s detailed summary of the meeting click here:
REPORT ON COUNCIL DELEGATION TO CLIFFORD MCILWAIN 7TH MAY 2010[1]
Campaign Update April 10th 2010
ENRIGHT PLEDGES A CARBON BILL IF ELECTED TO WESTMINSTER
Cllr Cadogan Enright said, “A Carbon Bill – A Bill reviving employment in construction in N.I by insulating the 147,000 sub-standard homes and installing moneysaving renewable systems. It would abolish taxes on eco-cars and on NI’s home-grown heating fuels, taxing instead high carbon foreign fossil fuels – using this money to support Ulster Farmers producing 15% of our energy needs.”
TO READ MORE CLICK HERE
Campaign Update April 18th 2010
Cllr Enright speaks about the Green New Deal on UTV
Campaign Update March 12th 2010
CLLR ENRIGHT LAUNCHES ‘LOCAL GREEN JOB MANIFESTO’ FOR WESTMINSTER ELECTIONS
Cllr Enright launched his Westminster campaign with a call for local green jobs. He said “I believe that homeowners, businesses and farmers are being left out of the economic advantages which will be given to the rest of the UK and Ireland and will lead to the loss of jobs and a lack of economic development in the renewables sector”.
TO READ THE ‘GREEN JOBS MANIFESTO’ CLICK HERE
Campaign Update May and September 2009
Silly wind turbine applied for at Drumnakelly Dump
At council meetings I challenged the idea of a 25kw turbine at Drumnakelly as ‘silly’ when a 250kw or 1.2MW turbine on the same site would provide the council with between £70k pa and £330k pa. Other councillors including Anne McAleen supported me on this.
Campaign Update February 20th 2009
ENRIGHT VISITS ENVIRONMENTAL FIRST AT DOWNESHIRE
Cllr Cadogan Enright has greatly welcomed the news that the Downshire Hospital in Downpatrick has become one of the first in Ireland to switch to biomass energy after investing in an eco-friendly boiler powered by wood pellets.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Campaign Update January 2nd 2009
ENRIGHT EXPRESSES DELIGHT AT GREEN ENERGY SUCCESS
Cllr Cadogan Enright has expressed his delight at the news that the tidal stream turbine between Strangford and Portaferry has broken the world record for generating renewable energy.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Campaign Update December 28th 2008
ENRIGHT WELCOMES COMPENSATION AGREEMENT FOR FARMERS
DOWN Cllr Cadogan Enright has welcomed the announcement by the Department of Agriculture that they would provide compensation to farmers who installed faulty wind turbines under a Department-backed scheme.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Campaign Update October 28th 2008
LAUNCH OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION IN DUBLIN
Cllr Enright has been instrumental in setting up a unique organisation to represent the renewable energy industry in Ireland.
To view the press release click here
Campaign Update September 19th 2008
DOWN AT ODDS WITH MINISTER DODDS ON ENERGY COSTS
Down councillors have reviewed the Finance Ministers proposals aimed at encouraging in energy efficiency and dismissed them as woeful, wholly inadequate and a fig-leaf for his failures this year in the energy arena.
Campaign Update August 15th 2008
DARD DAMAGES RENEWABLE ENERGY CAMPAIGN
DOWN Cllr Cadogan Enright has called for the Department of Agriculture to answer outstanding questions associated with their renewable energy programme following recently highly publicised wind turbine defects.
Campaign Update July 15th 2008
ENRIGHT WELCOMES NEW HOME ASSESSMENT
Cllr Cadogan Enright has welcomed the introduction of a new energy assessment requirement for homes on the market, and has urged all those selling and buying homes to be aware of the importance of energy efficiency.
Campaign Update April 30th 2008
DOWNPATRICK COUNCILLOR WECOMES SUPPORT FOR RENEWABLES
Down District Councillor Cadogan Enright welcomed the support of some fellow Councillors in passing at Down District Council calling for support for the local renewables industry.
Campaign Update April 27th 2008
CLLR ENRIGHT HELPS DRAW UP NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY
A policy co-authored by Cllr Cadogan Enright is to be implemented in a new €22bilion programme. Cadogan Enright, alongside the Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Energy and, Eamonn Ryan, drafted the Green Party Energy Policy, of which many aspects will be implemented in the Republic over the next five years.
TO READ THE GREEN PARTY ENERGY POLICY CLICK HERE
Campaign Update April 24th 2008
DOWNPATRICK ENVIRONMENTALISTS VISIT WIND TURBINE IN DUNDALK
Evironmentalists from County Down visited the large wind turbine sited in the centre of Dundalk at the Institute of Technology which is an example of the role renewable energy can play in meeting our energy needs.
Campaign Update April 2008
FALSE DATA STYMIES RENEWABLES
Down Cllr Cadogan Enright has claimed that the Department of Finance and Personnel are undermining the potential for renewable energy in Northern Ireland by using inaccurate data to influence important policy.
Campaign Update March 2008
ENRIGHT HELPS LAUNCH SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION
Cllr Enright has been involved in setting up a new trade association representing the renewable energy industry in Ireland, which aims to promote the use of renewable technologies to improve the environment and the economy.
Campaign Update January 2008
ENRIGHT SUPPORTS RENEWABLE ENERGY BUSINESSES
Cllr Enright held a meeting on Thursday 10th January 2008 in the Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatick to address the lack of Executive support for renewable energy installers in County Down, which could lead to the loss of over 180 jobs in county Down and over 1000 jobs across Northern Ireland.
Campaign Update December 2007
CLLR CRITICISES ENDING OF VITAL RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANTS
Cllr Enright has highlighted the effect the ending of renewable energy grants will have in the local economy as they are being cut off at the end of the month. A large number of local businesses have grown to support the growth in interest in renewables and Cllr Enright highlighted that no scheme is proposed to replace it leaving over 100 local jobs exposed. To read more click here