Conference on renewable energy

The Isle of Man hosts an international conference focusing on renewable energy this week, with experts from the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Norway and Faroe Islands.

‘Building A Low-Carbon Island Economy’ at The Comis Hotel on October 27th has been organised by the Energy & Sustainability Centre Isle of Man (ESC), an independent, not-for-profit, Isle of Man charity.

ESC – which is sponsored by KPMG, The Peel Group, and Zurich on the Isle of Man and is proud to be a UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Partner – is led by earth scientist and chair of the Manx Geological Survey, Dr Dave Quirk (who will be speaking at the conference); former MHK Ralph Peake; and environmental specialist John Boucher, who has a Master’s degree in sustainable energy.

ESC Director Mr Peake said: 'Attending this conference is a must for anyone involved in sustainability-related roles in the public or private sectors. It will be an excellent opportunity to learn first-hand from internationally respected experts who have developed strategies to achieve 100% renewable energy as early as 2030.'

In addition to Dr Quirk, key speakers at the conference include:

·       Professor Henrik Lund, Editor‐in‐Chief of Elsevier’s international journal ENERGY.

·       Professor Poul Alberg Østergaard from Aalborg University, Denmark, where he is a professor in energy planning.

·       Terji Nielsen, Head of the R&D Department at Faroe Islands power company SEV.

·       Helma Maria Tróndheim, a researcher in SEV’s R&D department.

·       Simon Nicholas from KPMG where he is a Senior Partner and Head of Client and Markets across KPMG Crown Dependencies and Regional Head of ESG across KPMG Islands Group.

·       Professor James Curran FRSE, honorary fellow of Scottish Environment LINK, visiting professor at the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for Sustainable Development. In 2019 Isle of Man Government commissioned him to produce a climate action report, so he has a very detailed understanding of the Island’s energy infrastructure and the challenges it faces to achieve net-zero 2050 targets.  

·       Jane Poole-Wilson MHK, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs.

At the conference, ESC will explain how the charity is building models and creating options to help move the Isle of Man from its current dependence on fossil fuels to future self-sufficiency in low-carbon power. That work involves building computer generated simulations of wind and solar schemes, energy storage and electricity transmission.

The conference will feature videos sponsored by Biosphere Partner Zurich on the Isle of Man which illustrate ESC’s vision of what a low-carbon future could look like here on the Island.

For full details, and to book tickets, click here.