Renewable Energy Growers

In September 2000 a group of 40 farmers with a collective area of 1300 Ha of Willow Coppice got together to form the not-for-profit Renewable Energy Growers Ltd. The energy crop was destined for the ill-fated Arbre project, a pioneer 8MW green energy power station. The power station regrettably went into liquidation last year, but the farmers have proven that growing energy crops is a viable alternative to intensive food production. REGLtd has successfully bid to DEFRA for Producer Group funding , which has allowed it to set up as a biomass fuel supply company.

REGLtd is responsible for marketing harvested fuel for its members, negotiating fuel supply contracts with end-users, planting and harvesting , supplying its members with agronomy advice, research and development, and lobbying government.

Wood fuel heating is a recognised and reliable technology in countries such as Sweden, Finland and Austria. It is a carbon dioxide neutral technology, which means the CO2 emitted is absorbed by the energy crop grown for the fuel stock. On top of this, boiler technology is now highly efficient (90% typically) and automated, and wood-fuel can be supplied in woodchip or wood pellet form depending on the size of installation required. REGLtd is currently working alongside the UK experts in delivering turnkey wood-heat projects, indeed the project pictured above is a fully automated wood-fuel district heating system supplying heat to offices and houses near Wetherby.

Yorkshire and Humberside are fortunate to have the largest area of energy crop planted in the UK, in addition we also have a very depressed forestry industry able to supply wood-fuel in large quantities. The answer to Greenhouse Gas reduction lies on our doorstep. By switching to wood-fuel heating we can rekindle the rural economy and help to meet Government targets. Suitable projects could include school boiler replacement programmes, housing association district heating , new housing district heating.

For information please contact Gareth Gaunt on 07930991454 – gareth.gaunt@virgin.net