Energy firm reports itself to watchdog after Inquiry revelations
A GREEN energy organisation has lodged a serious incident report over claims it may have misled a Charity Commission investigation about its role in the RHI scheme.
Action Renewables, a registered charity, helps businesses switch from fossil fuels and was involved in facilitating around a quarter of all RHI applications.
Michael Doran, managing director of Action Renewables, admitted to the inquiry on Wednesday the company knew from the outset the scheme was flawed but did not raise it with Stormont officials in case it delayed its introduction.
In early 2017 the Charity Commission set up an investigation into Action Renewables after a report in the Irish News that the firm was helping RHI applications, even though it knew of the problems.
The commission closed the investigation after trustees of Action Renewables said they did not know about the problems until December 2016.
Sir Patrick Coghlin, chair of the RHI Inquiry, said on Wednesday there was an “inescapable inference” Mr
Doran (inset) had been misleading the commission. Mr Doran responded: “It would appear from this document, yes.”
Yesterday, Professor Brian Norton, chairman of Action Renewables, said: “We have already been in touch with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and lodged a serious incident report. The board has also briefed a legal specialist in charity law to conduct an independent review on its behalf and will fully co-operate with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on this review.”
The Charity Commission said it will “carefully consider” Mr Doran’s evidence to the inquiry.
The RHI inquiry has heard Action Renewables earned nearly £250,000 by advising more than 500 RHI applicants.