IoM Showcases Clean Tech Sector Progress

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

30 November 2011

The Isle of Man government has announced that it is in negotiations towards establishing a partnership with Japanese-British organization UBrainTV, to further promote the island as a centre of excellence for Clean Tech product development.

The collaboration follows last month’s successful inaugural UbrainTV 1st Anniversary Conference and Energy Tech Awards held on the Isle of Man.

It is proposed that winners of UBrainTV's annual awards would be given the opportunity to showcase their technologies on the Isle of Man, supported financially by UBrainTV. According to the plans, the Isle of Man would host government officials and businesses from around the world and exhibit pioneering, sustainable technology and innovative environmental projects in action.

This year's award winners were: Revo International, a world renowned biofuel producer; and Micro Energy Co. Ltd, which built and operates Japan’s first commercial-scale biomass-to-liquid plant.

Laurence Skelly Political Member for the Isle of Man Department of Economic Development, commented: "This latest development in the Isle of Man’s continued collaboration with UBrainTV highlights the government’s commitment to supporting and growing the island’s Clean Tech sector. By hosting award winning technologies, the Isle of Man would continue to play an important role in encouraging new initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable future."

Dr Ken Milne, Senior Manager for Energy Policy, added: "We are very excited about the possibility of establishing the Isle of Man as the first Clean Tech Centre for UBrainTV award winners. The island is a world class centre for Clean Tech business and provides the ideal location for leading technologies to showcase their work. This latest collaboration would allow both the award winners and the Isle of Man the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities to businesses from around the world. We look forward to maintaining our partnership and continuing to work with UBrainTV."

As part of its efforts to promote the Clean Tech sector's development, the government has also recently launched a 0% Green Business Loan Scheme to support island-based ventures.

According to a PwC study, commissioned by the government in September, the Isle of Man is home to more than 100 clean tech companies and the fledging sector is poised for expansion. While turnover for these companies is estimated to amount to GBP4.6m (USD7.2m) currently, these businesses estimate that this turnover will grow to GBP10.6m by 2014, and provide jobs for 125 workers.

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