New partnership to drive farm energy production in Scotland

Scottish farming cooperative ANM Group is joining forces with the University of Aberdeen on a project to help increase green energy production on farms.

The University’s Business and Engineering Schools have entered into a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) with ANM Group which will see the creation of a new renewable energy consultancy division to advise farmers and other agricultural enterprises on sustainable energy solutions.

The two-year partnership, funded through a UK government grant of about £250,000, will also explore the potential for delivering a range of bespoke agricultural technology solutions to the market.

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For example, this could include development of a wind turbine that is small enough to be erected easily on existing farmland or buildings, but powerful enough to generate the energy used for day-to-day activities and contribute to the national grid.

The KTP hopes to work with commercial partners with the aim of producing prototype micro-turbines that can be demonstrated to ANM Group members early next year.

Net-zero solutions

Grant Rogerson, ANM Group chief executive, said by entering the partnership it could gain expertise and technology to help the agricultural sector continue its journey to achieve net zero.

“This joint venture has the capability to position ANM as a leading provider of sustainable solutions within the farming community.

“As a group we strive to protect the future of our sector and engage with younger generations, so this project has landed at a key time as we look towards the future of our industry.”

ANM Group’s divisions include Aberdeen & Northern Marts, Thainstone Specialist Auctions, Thainstone Events and a rural surveying arm called Aberdeen & Northern Estates.