Renewables advice for NFU members

The NFU has launched a new service to provide members with advice on a range of energy issues.

The Farm Energy service covers both renewable energy generation and energy efficiency measures and aims to help farmers reduce their environmental impact and increase farm profits.

The service, which is exclusive to NFU members, can help with enquiries about topics such as solar panel installation, wind energy, grid connections and energy contracts.

It also offers assistance with legal queries, planning, finance and insurance. Members get a free initial survey, access to an energy contract finder service and a discounted fee structure.

NFU president Peter Kendall said the introduction of Feed-in Tariffs and the Renewable Heat Incentive had sparked great interest in renewable energy, which prompted the NFU to reassess the services it provided.

“The NFU’s recent survey of members showed nearly one in three is involved in some kind of renewable energy activity, and 20% are generating clean electricity from natural resources like the sun and wind,” he said.

“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.”

The NFU has teamed up with renewable energy specialists Fisher German and energy efficiency and contract management experts Farm Energy to provide the service.