News Stories

An Award Winning Partnership

The Northumberland Community Flooding Partnership picked up a ‘Highly Commendable’ award at the Evening Chronicle Environment Awards last week.

The project had been entered in the Climate Change Category. The award was accepted by Lynne Dunleavy, the Project Manager for the Partnership, at a ceremony held in the Centre for Life in Newcastle.  The presentation was made by Trai Anfield, broadcaster and meteorologist for BBC Look North and Adrian Hilton from ClimateNE.

Woodfuel Sector Employment Survey

Rural Development Initiatives Ltd. has been engaged by the Forestry Commission to undertake a survey of employment in the woodfuel sector.

The Renewable Energy Strategy (RES) envisages that up to 30 per cent of the UK renewable energy target could be met from biomass heat and power sources. The Forestry Commission is looking to understand the potential value of the woodfuel industry to the UK economy and job market by 2020. A key part of this assessment is to understand current levels of employment within the woodfuel sector, from forest to boiler.

RDI to speak at the ICF National Conference

BEn European partners visit the North East

RDI hosted the 4th BEn project consortium meeting in Hexham from 27th to 29th January 2010.  Ten representatives from five organisations including: Poland, Austria, Germany and Italy visited our region to discuss the progress made within the Ben project.

During the three day meeting the prototype of the BEn GIS register was presented by the German leader (Fraunhofer UMSICHT). The status quo and ‘next steps’ for BEn actions were discussed in detail.

Renewable Heat Incentive consultation published

The final decision document on the Feed-in Tariffs and the Renewable Heat Incentive consultation has been published. 

Households and communities who install generating technologies such as small wind turbines and solar panels will from April be entitled to claim payments for the low carbon electricity they produce.

RDI launches East Midlands training project

RDI Vacancies

In anticipation of forthcoming opportunities, Rural Development Initiatives Ltd. invites expressions of interest from prospective Project Managers/Officers to work with us on a range of forest industry development projects.

Please see the Vacancies Page for more information.

Regional SWOT analysis

SWOT analysis of a regional situation of bio-energy market in the North East of England

Project BEn holds its 3rd European meeting!

The 3rd BEn European meeting took place on the 10th – 11th Sept. 2009 in Lack, Poland (a scenic region of the Gostynin Lake District).  The meeting was hosted by the Polish project partners from the Association of Tourist Communes (StowGmin).  RDI's BEn project officer, Kasia Zielewska represented the North East region.

During the two day meeting 14 participants from 7 collaborating organisations discussed the work, progress and further development of project BEn.  The main emphasis was on:

Terrific Turriff Triumph - Forestry Area secures rosette for fourth year!

Organised by Rural Development Initiatives on behalf of the Forestry Commission Scotland, the Forestry Area at this year's 2009 Turriff Show was bigger and better than ever. The stand was based round the themes of climate change, wildfire and woodfuel and triumphed once again by being awarded a Best Decorated Trade Stand rosette, this time for 2nd place.