Planning and finance key barrier to renewables
Planning and access to finance are some of the key barriers to renewables, according to farmers attending the recent Nextgen energy event in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
Sharing their views at a seminar on the “Farm Power: Putting Agriculture on the Grid” project, farmers said getting planning permission and funding for renewables project were real pinchpoints.
The project is a collaboration between Farmers Weekly, Forum for the Future and Nottingham Trent University to encourage the uptake of sustainable farm-based energy generation in the UK and help farmers fulfil their potential as energy generators.
A recent Farmers Weekly survey, sponsored by Nottingham Trent, found the five top barriers to on-farm renewable energy generation were: high investment costs, red tape, the cumbersome and costly planning process, opposition from family/community and difficulty accessing bank loans.
In order to move the project forward and find out what key areas to tackle first, Farmers Weekly is keen to hear your views on the key barriers to on-farm renewable energy generation and how you may have overcome these on your farm.
Have you managed to find a way round the cumbersome planning process? Or have you got any tips on securing finance for renewables projects? Share your experiences by emailing Will Frazer.