County Derry business powers growth with support from Go Succeed

A County Derry-based renewable energy company is setting its sights on further expansion across the island of Ireland after receiving support from the Go Succeed business support service.

HS Renewables, based in Ardmore just outside Derry, was founded in 2021 by Shea Higgins and specialises in solar energy systems, battery storage, heat pumps and insulation solutions for domestic, commercial, and agricultural customers.

Since launching the business, Shea has grown HS Renewables into a trusted provider of sustainable energy solutions, driven by increasing demand from customers seeking to reduce both their energy costs and carbon footprint.

Before establishing the company, he worked as an automation engineer across the UK and Europe. However, a desire for greater control over his future, and a growing interest in renewable technologies inspired him to start his own venture.

“I was travelling constantly and felt like I had no control over my own destiny,” he said.

“I could see the potential in renewables, particularly solar, and knew that was the direction I wanted to go in. That’s what led me to set up HS Renewables.”

Initially focused on electrical and solar installations, the business has since evolved into a one-stop shop for renewable energy solutions, expanding its offering to include heat pumps and heat recovery systems.

While domestic projects currently make up the bulk of its work, HS Renewables is now targeting growth in the commercial sector, where projects are typically larger in scale and offer significant long-term potential.

The company is also experiencing increased demand from the Republic of Ireland, where larger residential developments and growing awareness of sustainability are driving new opportunities.

“We’re seeing strong demand, particularly from the south, where there are a lot of large-scale builds,” Shea added.

“Our focus now is on growing the team so we can take on more work and continue expanding, particularly in the commercial space.”

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Rising energy costs have also played a key role in driving customer interest, with many homeowners and businesses turning to renewable solutions as a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative.

“When energy prices go up, we always see an increase in enquiries,” said Shea. “People who might have considered it before are now coming back and are ready to move forward because they can see the long-term savings.”

HS Renewables has received multiple levels of support from Go Succeed including strategy and business advice around finance and administration, while mentorship aimed at helping to identify scaling opportunities allowed the business to explore new markets and open up opportunities in the Republic of Ireland.

“It’s been a really positive experience working with Go Succeed,” Shea said.

“As we’ve sought to scale the business, through Go Succeed, we’ve received significant support to explore export opportunities.

“And the tools provided through the Go Succeed Member's Area have been really useful to access additional support on demand.

“We’re now equipped with the strategy to grow in the commercial market, particularly for PV solar panels, while also identify new sectors to target while training our sales staff to improve conversion rates.”

Go Succeed is delivered free of charge through all 11 councils in Northern Ireland, supporting entrepreneurs and businesses at every stage of their journey.

Danielle McNally, Business Development Manager, Derry City and Strabane District Council said:

“HS Renewables is a fantastic example of the kind of ambitious, forward-thinking business we are proud to support through Go Succeed.

“As demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to grow, businesses like HS Renewables are not only contributing to the local economy but also playing a vital role in helping households and organisations transition to more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.

“We look forward to supporting Shea and his team as they continue to expand into new markets.”

Funded by the UK Government, Go Succeed provides entrepreneurs with access to mentoring, events, grant funding, planning tools and business networks.

Visit Go Succeed to learn more.