Opinion

Q & A

Paul McCullagh, chief executive of UrbanWind
Paul McCullagh, chief executive of UrbanWind
Paul McCullagh is ceo of wind turbine project developer UrbanWind

What have you got planned for the rest of 2013?
For the rest of 2013 our key focus is to continue to expedite and grow customer confidence in our existing delivery programme for our renewable energy customers. We are also growing our corporate and SME customer base to achieve our goal of becoming the recognised leading industry expert in providing affordable renewable energy solutions in the UK. 

What do you see as the growth areas in renewables?
For me the key growth areas are in providing funded renewable energy opportunities in the business to business sector. We are seeing growing customer desire, both SME and corporate, to secure renewable energy solutions to reduce and/or provide greater security of pricing and supply in a rising and volatile UK energy market. The importance of controlling and mitigating growing operational expenditure is a key challenge for businesses.

How is your company cutting its carbon footprint?
We actively encourage carbon reduction initiatives from our employees. For example, to use train and bus travel as well as car sharing, wherever possible. Our two bases are both ideally placed less than a mile from the motorway network and within easy rail links to Glasgow and Preston to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. We’ve downsized much of our vehicle fleet to smaller hatchbacks and are encouraging staff to leave their cars, whenever possible, through a cycle-to-work scheme. We also undertake careful monitoring of power usage in our offices and actively partake in recycling and re-use of materials.