NI Businesswoman Putting All Her Energy Into Wind Power

Renewable energy company ABO

Wind continues to grow across the UK and Ireland as the drive towards greener energy ramps up. Founded in Germany in 1996, the globally successful renewable energy company’s UK Director, Tamasin Fraser, is leading the company’s growth.

Having set up a dedicated Northern Ireland office in 2010 to advance renewable energy projects across the region, ABO Wind has grown considerably across the UK and Ireland since then. The existing office in Falkirk in Scotland has seen recent growth of the team to increase local presence. In October 2022, the company opened its first office in Slough in Berkshire to complement the GB expansion. The investment in Slough has already brought about the appointment of six new colleagues, increasing the company’s UK headcount to 23 with further appointments expected shortly. Its strategic location in England will enable ABO Wind to progress new projects as the need for greater levels of indigenous, clean energy generation increases. To date, the company has secured consent for a portfolio of wind farm and battery storage proposals across the UK with a combined potential capacity of over 150 Megawatts (MW); that’s enough to power almost 200,000 homes.

ABO Wind has a further significant pipeline of projects at an early stage with the aim of delivering 3 Gigawatts (GW) UK wide by 2030. Tamasin says, “Of all renewable electricity generated within Northern Ireland over the 12-month period from October 2021 to September 2022, almost 50% was generated from wind. This is the highest rolling 12-month renewables generation volume on record and shows we have a highly skilled renewable energy sector that can deliver results.”

The opportunities presented by renewables are immense. Tamasin Fraser continues, “It has been encouraging to see political support for renewables continue to strengthen, including in England where the Conservative government looks to be in the early stages of reversing its de facto ban on new onshore wind development which had been in place since 2015. This is good news for everyone, including consumers, and I think it reflects recognition of the benefits that flow from these projects.

“Research shows that achieving 80% renewable electricity generation in Northern Ireland by 2030 could involve a £3.1 billion private investment from the onshore wind sector this decade. It will also result in rates contributions of £195 million and over £30 million in community benefit schemes. That’s a huge opportunity for Northern Ireland, all whilst we decarbonise our electricity supply and support the fight against climate change.

“ABO Wind is dedicated to ensuring that our projects contribute directly to local communities. As a result, we establish a Community Benefit Fund for the entire lifetime of each wind farm development. Investments where wind farms are located will create new jobs and will help tackle the climate emergency and the energy crisis.”

Tamasin adds, “As well as helping to achieve energy independence and removing our reliance on fossil fuels, renewable energy presents an opportunity to attract investment. Future prosperity and tackling climate change go hand in hand and at ABO Wind we are excited to be progressing innovative projects across the UK.”

There are also educational benefits with children and community groups learning about renewable energy.

“We have a dedicated Educational

Outreach team who visit schools to deliver education initiatives and we work closely with the local community to progress green energy projects that will benefit everyone. We passionately believe that renewable energy has a central role to play in addressing the impacts of climate change and our cost-of-living crisis in a sustainable way,” continues Tamasin.

Renewable energy is vital to security of supply and will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels such as oil and gas and help towards achieving Northern Ireland’s renewable electricity target of 80% by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

Tamasin says, “The sector’s ability to deliver ambitious, government-led targets for the benefit of consumers and the environment here is crucial if we are to make progress.

“One of the key barriers to delivery in Northern Ireland is delays in the planning system and so it is imperative that this is tackled as a matter of urgency to enable the clean energy transition at pace.”

Tamasin concludes, “Planning is a key enabler to delivery of the Net Zero ambition. Looking at other regions we are active in, it is really encouraging to see that the Scottish government has taken on board the concerns of industry to work through the barriers to development. Now we need to see a similar approach in Northern Ireland. The global climate emergency must be central to all decision making.”