INVEST Northern Ireland has offered £3.6million of support for Phase II of an industry-led sustainable energy research centre at Queen’s University in Belfast.
Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy also draws upon the research capabilities of Ulster University and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute.
Making the announcement, Minister for the Economy, Diane Dodds, said: “Over the last six years, Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy has helped to position Northern Ireland within the global sustainable energy market.
“It has created opportunities for over 50 ambitious companies to work collaboratively with academic researchers to explore innovative technologies and services with global commercial potential.
“Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy has also exceeded its targets.
“This includes its support in securing over £3m of funding to Northern Ireland for the Bryden Centre – a cross border renewable energy research centre funded under the EU’s Interreg VA programme and led from Belfast.
“In the coming years, I look forward to watching the progress Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy makes with some of the world’s major challenges in sustainable energy research for the benefit of the Northern Ireland economy.”
Over the last five years, the Centre has greatly exceeded its target of leveraging funding into Northern Ireland’s sustainable energy sector.
The new Invest Northern Ireland funding will enable it to continue this work and its focus on the development of highly innovative solutions for the sustainable energy sector.
Sam McCloskey, Director of Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy, added: “We are delighted that the Minister and Invest Northern Ireland have recognised the importance of continuing research in sustainable energy and has committed to funding Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy in this second phase.
“This research and development is particularly important in light of the links between decarbonising the energy system and reducing the impact of climate change.”
Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy was established in 2013 with funding made available through the Invest Northern Ireland Competence Centre programme to drive collaborative research and development in sustainable energy.
