Harry McCracken, former Managing Director of Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), has joined Simple Power as Chairman. Simple Power, a rapidly growing wind energy company which capitalises on the support for renewable energy in Northern Ireland, provides single wind turbines that feed directly into the electricity grid.  

Simple Power Founder and CEO, Paul Carson, welcomed McCracken’s appointment, which follows the company’s success in securing significant first round funding.

 “I’m delighted to secure someone of Harry’s calibre as Chairman. This is not only a significant endorsement for Simple Power but also for the success of the renewable energy sector in Northern Ireland. Harry has played such a key role in the local energy market for over twenty years and his expertise will be important to ensuring the future success of the business. At a time when consumers are feeling the impact of the rising energy prices, strong companies with the right expertise making significant investments in the renewables sector is in everyone’s best interest.”

Harry McCracken had a 40-year career with NIE, joining as an engineer, working his way up into a management role in Corporate Planning by the later 1980's and joining the NIE Board in 1992 as Operations Director. He became Managing Director (MD) in 1998 and was appointed Group MD for Viridian Power & Energy in 2002 responsible for expanding Viridian's presence in the all island energy market.

Commenting on his appointment Chairman Harry McCracken said: “As we enter a new and important phase, industry vision and leadership is vital.  Ensuring that the incentives regime for renewable energy is secure and certain is equally important to attract the levels of investment needed in the sector. In particular, we need the Northern Ireland Government to continue to truly support this agenda, if we are to be successful and committed as a region to a renewable energy future. I am looking forward to working with Simple Power at this critical time.”

Simple Power aims to develop approximately 200 single wind turbines by 2015. The 50MW of wind energy generated would equal an approximated 30% increase on current renewable energy generation in Northern Ireland. In return for an annual rent to landowners, the company accesses some of the province’s best sites for wind energy generation.

CEO Paul Carson previously founded Strategic Planning, now Northern Ireland’s leading planning consultancy. Simple Power works closely with the planning firm whose unrivalled knowledge and expertise of the local planning environment assist in ensuring wind turbine projects progress efficiently and effectively.  Paul was recently appointed to the Renewables Planning Advisory Group by Stormont Environment Minister, Alex Attwood.