The Welsh Development Agency is charged with the responsibility of economic development and prosperity within Wales and subsequently recognises that the achievement of this aim is directly proportional to the value it places upon the natural environment and the people who inhabit it. The Welsh Development Agency published in March 2001 its Sustainable Development Policy - Learning to Work Differently. This policy outlines the Agency's commitment to, and actions towards achieving, sustainable development, social equity and environmental protection. An important strand within the Sustainable Development Policy is Renewable Energy. ‘The Agency will contribute to the aims of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing diverse supplies of energy in environmentally acceptable ways. In particular, we will actively promote the development and use of Renewable Energy in Wales.’ Wales has expertise in the Renewable Energy Sector and the Welsh Development Agency will be working with its partners to develop and promote this expertise to meet local and global market demands. The Welsh Development Agency and the OPET (Organisation for the Promotion of Energy Technologies) network, which is funded by the European Commission Energie Programme, have compiled the directory. The Welsh Development Agency has an Energy Office based in North Wales which is formulating implementation policy for the energy industry. The Agency has supported a variety of renewable energy businesses and projects through its programmes - particularly the Environmental Goods and Services Programme. The Agency seeks to assist the birth and growth of small and medium sized enterprises with a "tool kit" of services designed to help businesses tackle specific challenges such as upgrading technology and accessing venture capital. The OPET network aims to assist in the use, exploitation and dissemination of renewable energy and to demonstrate technological development in Wales and throughout the European Union. The Network consists of 45 consortia covering all the member states of the EU and beyond. Wales OPET Cymru (hosted by Dulas Ltd) is in partnership with EVE, an organisation in the Basque Country of Northern Spain. Wales OPET Cymru is active in promoting renewable energy throughout Wales and offers advice and assistance to the sector. |