Scotland gears up for new Biofuel initiative

Picture: Scottish Environment & Rural Development Minister, Ross Finnie, and Alister Veitch of Terra Eco Systems, gear up for the launch of a new biofuels initiative.

Terra Eco Systems is set to drive the use of biofuels across Europe following the launch of a new initiative in Scotland that could power up to 5,000 family cars per year.

The initiative, which is the first of its kind in the UK, is being piloted across the east coast of Scotland and will involve local farmers using biosolids as organic fertiliser in the growing of crops which can produce five million litres of biofuels each year, reducing dependency on harmful fossil fuels.

Wheat or barley and oil seed rape will be grown at farms in the Lothians before being transported to Europe for conversion into bioethanol and biodiesel respectively.

The system, which will be completely managed by Terra Eco Systems in conjunction with Harlow Agricultural Merchants, will help in achieving EU targets for the production of biofuels as well as reducing the amount of biosolids going to landfill.

In addition, farmers involved will benefit from a guaranteed income for three to five years without having to make any additional investment.

Alister Veitch at Terra Eco Systems, said: "This is a very exciting initiative which has significant environmental and economic benefits for Scotland.

"It is quite astonishing to think that for every tonne of biosolid material we use in the growing of these crops, we can produce up to 300 litres of road fuel. Over time this could have a great impact on creating a cleaner environment across Europe.

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"In Scotland, not only will the initiative improve environmental sustainability by making good use of natural products, but it will also provide important additional income within the agricultural sector."

Environment and Rural Development Minister, Ross Finnie, said: "Biofuels are efficient, clean and green sources of energy. Their versatile nature means that they can be used to provide heat and electricity on a large scale.

"The Scottish Executive is committed to reducing the impact of climate change. The innovation of companies like Terra Eco Systems are helping us in achieving this goal."

One of the farmers involved in the initiative, Douglas Morrison, who farms at Amisfield Mains Farm in Haddington, added: "I am delighted to be involved in this initiative, which has a number of benefits for me as a farmer. From a financial perspective it is beneficial to have guaranteed income, however the fact that there is support for the greater use of environmental practices in crop production to increase the green credentials of UK produced biofuel is also very important."

The initiative also has the support of the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association. Chairman, Keith Arbuthnott, said: "I am convinced that increasing numbers of farmers in Scotland can benefit from opportunities being created by biofuels. Ground-breaking initiatives of this type will be a critical part of our arable sector in the future."