At the end of 2006 RDI secured the largest single woodfuel market acceleration contract in the UK, beating off competition from companies with significant national and international reputations. The client, English Regional Development Agency One NorthEast, engaged RDI as the lead partner in a consortium to deliver the North East Bioenergy Development Service. Working with Cravens, a leading marketing agency, the service was branded as NEWHeat, reflecting its regional nature and the concept of introducing a ‘new’ technology to businesses in the North East Region.
Following a modified version of the Information : Diagnostic : Brokerage model used by Business Link, the NEWHeat service is making rapid progress towards its target of 300 businesses assisted by the end of March 2009. The NEWHeat team work with businesses to provide initial feasibility studies and then providing grant aid to pay for full system design by installation companies. NEWHeat run the tender process and advise on fuel procurement, providing expert advice and support to customers every step of the way.
The NEWHeat service integrates with other activities in the Region, most notably North East Woodfuels, the producer group managed by RDI on behalf of the farming and forestry businesses that make up its membership. North East Woodfuels provides customers with confidence in the Regional woodfuel supply chain and makes sure that when a customer comes forward from the NEWHeat service that they’re getting quality controlled, locally sourced woodfuel from the Regions’ woodlands.
For more information on NEWHeat take a look at the website - www.newheat.org.uk or contact Dave Clubb at the North East Office.
