Farmers, who wish to use a cost effective, efficient and environmentally friendly energy source for their farm business, should consider using sustainable bio-mass boilers, says energy expert Richard Collins of Countrywide.
"Producing energy from a sustainable source, such as wood fuelled biomass boilers, is considered by many as the best way of reaching renewable energy targets in the UK and protecting the environment for future generations," says Mr Collins. "Biomass boilers provide a real alternative for farmers in the UK, many of which are not on the gas grid and are finding that conventional fossil fuels are too expensive and not cost effective. Wood fuelled boilers provide an opportunity for farmers to reduce output costs and make considerable savings over a longer period of time"
An increase in the use of wood fuel boilers, for both domestic and commercial use, also presents an opportunity for farmers, as Mr Collins explains. "The UK has a target of producing 15% of all our energy from renewable sources by the year 2020, and developing new ways of generating renewable energy will be a key aim for whichever party is elected in May," continues Mr Collins. "Heat generated from renewable sources accounts for approximately 1% of total heat demand – this has to rise to hit our binding EU targets. Demand for renewable energy, and wood fuel, will increase as a result. Farmers who have sustainable forests on their land should be seriously considering the opportunities this presents them in the marketplace."
Leading rural supplier, Countrywide, is now offering farmers the opportunity to purchase wood fuel biomass boilers, plus wood chips and pellets, following the successful acquisition of Herefordshire based biomass business Green Energy Supplies Ltd.
Mr Collins, the former Director of Green Energy Supplies, becomes Group Biomass Manager at Countrywide.
"I am delighted to be able to bring this small but expanding business under the wing of Countrywide," says David Asquith, Countrywide’s Energy Director. "We can now offer customers the complete biomass package; supplying and installing the boiler systems (that are imported from mainland Europe), sourcing wood fuel from sustainable outlets in the UK – where 2 trees are planted for every 1 cut down, buying the fuel in bulk and then passing on those savings to the customer. The strengths of both businesses have been combined and, as a result, we now offer a wider range of biomass energy options for our farming customers.
"It is important that we help farmers understand their energy options, and that we provide the information and variety they need to make an informed choice, based on efficiency and costs.
"As part of this offer we are committed to promoting the use of sustainable energy sources, including wood fuel energy. For this reason we felt that Green Energy Supplies was a perfect fit for Countrywide.
On 1 February 2010, the Government published a consultation on the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, which it aims to introduce in April 2011. The scheme will pay domestic and commercial users for generating renewable heat for the first 15 years of biomass boiler use.
"This means that, although the initial cost of installing a biomass boiler (from around £12,000) is higher than a new oil, LPG or electricity boiler, you are recouping your investment from the moment you switch the boiler on. Countrywide can also help farmers spread the cost of purchase and installation through its Asset Management leasing business.
"I am delighted to announce that Richard Collins will be Group Biomass Manager for Countrywide. He brings a decade of expertise and knowledge of biomass, and other sustainable energy sources, to the business, which in turn we can pass onto to our farming customers," concludes Mr Asquith.
