ENERGY NOW - Farmers Interest Visible
17 February 2012
UK - The third annual Energy Now Expo wrapped up yesterday, after another successful year.
The exhibition and conference expanded this year to include a workshop area for the first time.
Over the two day event, workshops outlined on-farm applications of solar, wind, biomass, ground source heating and anaerobic digestion.
Despite the recent changes to the level of Feed in Tariffs (FiTs) for solar PV alongside the government's proposed reforms last week, the general atmosphere was mainly positive, with farmers still enthusiastic to press ahead with on-farm renewable energy projects.
"I think despite the recent reforms a lot of farmers are still in good spirits about generating energy on-farm," said Birmingham-based arable farmer, Richard Priestly.
"There has been a big drive over the past couple of years to try and encourage farmers to generate their own energy, be it from crop or animal waste or solar and wind power. I think it's starting to look more achievable for many farmers, despite the government back-tracking and changing their mind on subsidies," said Mr Priestly.
"I have seen a great turn out at this event, so the interest must be there." Mr Priestly concluded.
Last week the government announced plans to ensure the future of the Feed-in Tariffs scheme to make it more predictable, stating that transparency, longevity and certainty are at the heart of the new improved scheme, however it has left some experts unhappy.
Energy Now co-organiser, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said the changes to the Feed-in Tariff, would enable the countryside to continue to play a part in the ‘small-scale renewable revolution’.
CLA Deputy President Henry Robinson said: "We are delighted the government has found the budget to maintain the FIT on a sustainable basis for the future. We have long been calling for pre-registration which allows investors to pre-register, fix and guarantee the tariff before purchasing the apparatus."
In contrast SIAC Wind Energy expressed disappointment at the review of Feed-In Tariffs for non-PV (photovoltaic) technologies, stating that it favours solar power and ignores wind power.
Ian Burrow, Head of Agriculture and Renewable Energy at NatWest Bank said the key to a successful renewable installation is fully understanding the farmers needs.
"It is a confusing time for farmers, they are being told many different things regarding what's available to them at a time when policies and subsidies are changing, which adds to the confusion.
"It is important for investors to fully understand the needs and circumstances of the farmer to get the very best return on a renewable installation, there's no point using the same case study against two different projects on different farms and expecting it to work. Choosing a renewable project is not something to be taken lightly and needs to be personalised to the farmers needs."
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