The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has awarded £450,000 to five suppliers to develop proof of concepts on potential solutions to treat, reduce and suppress the growth of Blue Green Algae.
Last month, Minister Muir launched the first phase of the Lough Neagh: Blue Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) which has been developed to explore solutions to treat and reduce Blue Green Algae blooms without impacting the natural environment of Lough Neagh and associated Northern Ireland waterways.
DAERA contributed £200,000 towards the initiative, with the Department for the Economy (DfE) contributing £250,000 through its SBRI Challenge Fund. The competition attracted considerable interest nationally and internationally, with almost 200 initial expressions of interest and 53 actual bids being received, from which the five successful applicants were drawn following a rigorous evaluation process.
The successful bids selected will allow proofs of concept to be developed in several areas, including the use of ultrasonics, mechanical treatment and biological treatment.
Speaking following an introductory meeting with the five successful suppliers, Minister Muir said: “I am pleased to welcome the five successful suppliers for phase one of the Lough Neagh: Blue Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), which is supported by funding from both my Department and the Department for the Economy. This first phase of the initiative is intended to demonstrate the technical feasibility of a proposed concept and its viability as a solution to help tackle Blue Green Algae in Lough Neagh and can hopefully be applied to any area that has been affected by the bacteria.
“However, we must remember, this alone will not solve the Blue Green Algae crisis. This initiative is only one action outlined in my 37-point Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan, which paves the way forward for improved water quality and reduced Blue Green Algae. There is a significant amount of work to do to restore the lough and enhance water quality throughout Northern Ireland. This will take both time and resources. Water quality issues at Lough Neagh and elsewhere were decades in the making and will take decades to fix. It is my vision to have a healthy, resilient environment with high water quality status and I am firmly committed to take the necessary action to make a difference to our waterways.”
The five successful suppliers awarded contracts are:
- Clear Water Systems Ltd
- Helix8 Ltd
- Queen’s University Belfast
- Varicon Aqua Solutions Ltd
- Wholeschool Software Ltd (Biild)
Economy Minister Conor Murphy said: “My Department’s SBRI Challenge Fund supports innovative solutions to complex challenges such as that at Lough Neagh. I welcome DAERA’s appointment of five suppliers to move this research project to the next phase, where potential solutions can be explored and developed.”
It is anticipated that phase one will run through to March 2025 with a potential call for a phase two applications commencing summer 2025.
Notes to editors:
- The SBRI has two phases and will be expected to follow the standard approach:
- Phase one: Five applicants selected to develop proofs of concept. A total funding package of £450,000 has been secured via DAERA and the Department for the Economy (DfE) through its SBRI Challenge Fund for Phase one; and
- Phase two: Two to three concepts selected and developed as potential pilot solutions.
- The competition process is being managed on behalf of DAERA by the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) and DAERA is the contracting body in this procurement.
- At the end of phase one, all, or a subset only, of the suppliers in phase one may be selected to proceed to later phases, based on agreed objective selection criteria and budget availability.
- At the conclusion of the SBRI contract, or at any other time, the contracting authority may decide to procure the solution(s) developed or similar solution(s) from other providers - but there is no obligation to do so. If a solution is to be procured, this will constitute a separate competition under normal public procurement rules and other potential suppliers on the open market will be free to compete for the business.
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- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
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