Bernard Walsh - Hot Irishman
This company has gone from being about 40pc to 90pc export-based in five years.
ENTREPRENEURS
Mark Lowen
Renewable Energy Systems
For Renewable Energy Systems the shift in focus from solar to wind came about as a result of the downturn in the economy.
Set up in 2006, the company saw a future in micro-generation wind turbines, and despite still servicing the solar sector it has seen significant growth in this area of the business.
In recent years, wind turbines have become a more accepted feature on the Irish landscape, and an increasing number of people and businesses with a bit of land are looking to produce their own energy through micro-generation wind turbines.
Managing director Mark Lowen says the company has become one of the largest players in the provision of micro-generation wind turbines in Ireland.
He has future plans to expand to other markets: “We’ve done a huge amount of lobbying but we’re still not satisfied. Although the market is growing, it’s growing slowly.”
Ireland should offer incentives for electricity
Lowen believes Ireland should look to countries such as the UK, which offers incentives for producing your own electricity.
The UK government now gives back 25p or 26p sterling for every kilowatt generated by a micro-generation wind turbine, regardless of whether the energy is consumed onsite or exported, he says.
“Certainly, I would expect there would be some legislative changes made to further incentivise the micro-energy industry in Ireland, right from wind turbines to solar photovoltaics,” he says.
Not that any of this will slow Lowen and his team down. In 2009, Renewable Energy Systems had a turnover of €3m, with Lowen indicating that the plan is to grow this turnover to €4.5m in 2010.
Read about other eco entrepreneurs John Keohane of Verde Autos and John Walsh of Carbon Decisions.
