The Natural Energy Show is back for a third year to showcase energy efficiency and renewable energy options for homes and small businesses.

The event will be held at The Exchange, Thainstone Mart, Inverurie on Saturday, October 8 from 10am–4pm and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Aberdeenshire Council and the Energy Saving Trust are organising and running the event this year, taking over from Aberdeenshire Environmental Forum (AEF).

Installers of a range of renewable technologies will be on hand to demonstrate their wares and talk through the options.

Installers of renewable energy or energy efficiency measures who are interested in exhibiting at the show still have a chance to get involved.

Aberdeenshire Council’s renewable energy development co-ordinator, Eric Wells, said: "I would like to thank Brian Evans and the team at Aberdeenshire Environmental Forum for all the work they put in to make the Natural Energy Show the successful event it has become.


"We are happy to pick up the mantle and carry on the good work, ensuring that this becomes an annual fixture on the calendar.

"Virtually all the companies that have exhibited at the show over the last two years are returning for the third year, but this is a rapidly expanding market so any new installers who have not exhibited before will be welcome to join us."

Christine Stewart, marketing manager at the Energy Saving Trust’s north east Scotland advice centre, said she expects attendance this year to be even greater than last.

"The feed-in tariff for renewable electricity generation has made solar photovoltaic panels a very attractive option for domestic users interested in a long term investment, and with the Government’s forthcoming Renewable Heat Incentive and ‘Green Deal’ for households, there will be renewed interest in technologies such as ground source heat pumps and wood pellet boilers," she said.

Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee (ISC), Peter Argyle, said: "The development of Renewable Energy helps to meet the council’s objectives for sustainability and also contributes to targets for economic development.

"It is encouraging to see the Natural Energy Show back for a third year, extending its appeal, and the council is delighted to be main sponsor this year, alongside the Energy Saving Trust."

AEF founded and ran the Natural Energy show at Thainstone for the last two years, but has decided to step down from organising it. It will however continue to help out and maintain an interest.

(GK)