The Border Midland and Western Regional Assembly has welcomed the International Launch of the RASLRES transnational co-operation project by Minister for Defence Tony Killeen T.D at a reception in Bunratty, Co. Clare. - 7th September 2010

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Gerry Finn, Director of the BMW Regional Assembly commended the initiative entitled Regional Approaches to Stimulating Local Renewable Energy Solutions.  He added: -

“ The key objective of the RASLRES project is to increase the use and uptake of locally produced renewable energy solutions such as wood, seaweed and reed canary grass in the Northern Periphery Programme area through the development and implementation of targeted market stimulation models. I welcome this collaborative engagement between the Western Development Commission, Action Renewables Northern Ireland, the Environmental Research Institute in Scotland and the Municipality of Norsjo in Sweden. The project represents a total investment of €3m and brings together public and private stakeholders to pilot bio-energy programmes in the partner regions which will stimulate regional economies and help to sustain local jobs which is crucial during these difficult economic times”  

“As the Regional Contact Point in Ireland responsible for the promotion and dissemination of the Northern Periphery Programme, the BMW Regional Assembly was delighted to be in a position to support the project in its development and implementation. I would also like to acknowledge the work of the Programme Secretariat in Copenhagen for their efforts in helping both the Assembly and the Lead Partner kick start the project. I wish the Western Development Commission every success with this very innovative pilot project. ” 

RASLRES is a transnational collaboration project which is led by the Western Development Commission and includes partners from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Sweden. The project is funded by the EU Interreg Northern Periphery Programme (NPP) 2007-2013 which supports transnational co-operation projects in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Faroe Islands and Greenland.