Renewable energy co-operative will help Cumbrian farmers

A renewable energy co-operative has announced plans to make energy from farm muck and help boost Cumbria’s farming economy.

Community Renewable Energy North West (CoRE NW), a co-operative based in Workington, plans to set up a number of farmers’ co-operatives, each of which will produce electricity and heat from manure and silage using anaerobic digestion.

The first of these farmers’ co-operatives, which will be at Middle Farm in Silloth, North West Cumbria, is expected to get planning permission next spring, with a view to commissioning a ’digester’ by the end of 2010.

As well as providing income to farmers, the co-operatives will rid farmers of the problem of slurry, which is both smelly and toxic when applied to soils. Instead, farmers will get back liquid fertiliser from the digester, which will replace almost all their need for chemicals. This will save them money and improve the condition of their soil as well as being relatively odourless.

"Our first plant will generate enough electricity for more than 2,000 houses and can almost double the profitability of dairy farmers," explains Rob Skinner a local agriculturalist from CoRE NW. The digester will also produce heat which can heat animal housing and other buildings near the farm.

"We think this a great way forward for Cumbrian farmers," says Mike Pearson who owns the farm where the first digester is proposed. "As well as increasing our income, it also means we reduce our usage of chemicals and produce renewable energy."

Local Councillor Tony Markley says: "As the local County Councillor for the Silloth and Solway coast area I am delighted to see this proposed development. The use of natural resources must play a role in producing energy for the future without been detrimental to the area. I am pleased that the farming industry can improve its profitability using natural resources that will help to benefit the community and environment."

CoRE NW will also work with interested communities to set up and own any renewable energy systems, including wood heating, solar panels and water turbines. The initial work on Middle Farm has been funded by The Hub, a social enterprise support project operating across West Cumbria that is managed by the worker co-operative and co-operative development specialists, Co-operative and Mutual Solutions.

Keith Richardson of CoRE NW added: "We will take a stake in the Middle Farm digester and use the profits it generates to help more farmers set up others in Aspatria, Kirkbride and Southwaite."

CoRE, The Hub and Co-operative and Mutual Solutions are members of Co-operativesUK.

For more information about CoRE visit www.corecoop.net.