Six farmers have been awarded a £500 cash prize each for resourceful renewable energy installations at the Energy Now Expo 2017.
Now in their second year, the awards celebrate resourceful farmers, who not only care about alternative energy to fossil fuels, but have successful renewable installations that stack up financially.
The hydro award went to Bill Cave, Glenburnie Hydro, Abergavenny, who said: “To be given the award for so small a hydro scheme is ground-breaking.”
“With electricity prices on the rise again, the smart money is on generating your own electricity to avoid buying it from a supply company. There is scope for many more such installations if farmers and landowners only realise that such technology is available,” adds Bill.
Support the industry
Receiving the award for AD and Biogas - Dr Stephen Temple - is clear that the government needs to continue to support the industry.
“Climate change is one of the biggest threats to mankind currently, and we’ve got to do as much as we possibly can to support it,” he says.
Stephen farms a dairy herd of pure pedigree Brown Swiss cows in Wighton, North Norfolk, and much of the milk is used for cheese making.
“Done sensibly, renewable installations can be integrated into the whole business and generate a significant income.
“We now have a number of renewable initiatives on the farm, and we use carbon neutral fuel where possible. We installed an AD plant in 2009 and use the cow slurry, whey from the cheese we make, lower quality maize and energy beet. 80% is exported to the grid and the rest is used on the farm. The waste heat from the engine heats the house, office, cheese making, hot water for the dairy, grain drying, three farm cottages and warm drinking water for the cows.
“The future is determined by the politicians - we need their continued support for a low carbon, sustainable future,” adds Stephen.
