Farmers flocked to this year’s Energy Now Expo to hear the latest renewable energy opportunities available, and gain an insight into the latest technologies on offer.
The two-day event, at the Telford international centre, has grown in content and value annually, as renewable energy issues gain in importance on the country’s farms.
On opening the multi-streamed conference, Henry Robinson, CLA president, said renewable energy development within farming is vital to the government as part of their current energy supply.
His message was clear. ‘Investment in renewable energy needs clarity and stability’. And to farmers he recommended that they ‘took care’ in what was a minefield of changing information and tariffs. “And here, at the Expo, valuable information is accessible from reputable firms. Talk to them, be sure about the structures you will put in place, and take time to get it right.”
Keynote speakers included Professor Samuel Frankhauser, deputy director of the Centre for Climate Change, Economics and Policy, reporting that power sector emissions have dropped by 18% since 2007, as a result of both falling demand, and lower carbon intensities. “The good news is that we have met the first carbon budget, and decarbonising power will help to reduce emissions. Reducing carbon intensity of electricity is achievable, but the government needs to signal this ambition. Renewables play a huge role in this.”
Ian Burrow, head of agriculture and renewables, NatWest, joined Hiten Sonpal, Lombard, both principle sponsors of the Energy Now Expo event, to offer guidance on funding options for new projects and refinancing existing schemes. Following on, Nicky Conway, principal sustainability adviser Forum for the Future, talked about the potential for farm based power in the UK. ‘‘There’s at least 10GW of untapped resource potential across UK farms,” she pointed out.
Steve Roberts, head of marketing intelligence, DECC, spoke of the success of the RHI scheme, reporting that over 10,000 applications have been made. “This translates to more than 2GW of installed capacity, and the scheme is growing extremely quickly at the moment.”
Close to 1,800 farmers and landowners came through the doors on the first day. David Jacobmeyer, Energy Now director, has had great feedback from visitors. “People have been enthusiastic about the quality of the information available at the event, through conference speakers, exhibitors, the RHI zone and the grid connection workshops.”
The Energy Now Expo Forage Aid fundraising drive arrived in style on the first morning, driven in by Clarke Willis, CEO of Anglia Farmers, who presented a £15,000 cheque to the cause. The drive stopped off at renewable farm sites from Sedgemore to Telford, to highlight the importance of renewable energy in offering farmers sustainable income and cost efficient alternative power sources. The drive marks a year to the date since the Somerset levels flooding, and encourages farmers to think about renewable energy as a buffer in times of crisis.
