A new initiative that provides a range of renewables and energy efficiency services to help reduce environmental impact and increase farm profits is being launched exclusively for NFU members.
The Farm Energy Service will offer independent advice and guidance on a range of energy issues including solar panels, wind energy, grid connections and energy contracts. It will also provide assistance with legal queries, planning, finance and insurance. Benefits include a free initial survey, access to an energy contract finder service and a discounted fee structure.
The partnership sees the NFU teaming up with renewable energy specialists Fisher German and energy efficiency and contract management experts Farm Energy.
NFU President Peter Kendall, who will officially launch the service during this year’s NFU Conference, said the recent creation of Feed in Tariffs and Renewable Heat Incentive schemes had sparked great interest in renewable energy which had led to a reassessment of the kinds of services the NFU provides.
’The NFU’s recent survey of members showed that nearly one in three is involved in some kind of renewable energy activity, and 20 per cent are generating clean electricity from natural resources like the sun and wind’, said Mr Kendall.’
’Our own Government ministers are now realising the enormous potential of land-based renewables, so this is very much the right time for the NFU to provide a comprehensive energy service.’ Farmers and growers can manage their use and production of energy to support farm profitability while impacting less on the environment.’
NFU member Colin Godwin from Wiltshire has already made use of the new service.
’I was pleased with the expertise I received from the NFU Farm Energy Service partners and believe I have saved a substantial amount of money, insulating myself from rising electricity prices’, said Mr Godwin.
’The advice given has proved invaluable and the services we have used range from energy contract negotiations to metering and power purchase agreements, that on my own I have found complicated and time consuming to decipher.’ This is a most useful NFU membership benefit that should interest the majority of farmer and grower members.’
