New research released today shows there is at least 10GW of untapped resource across UK farms – equivalent to more than three times the installed capacity of the proposed new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point C and a significant increase on current levels. But despite various efforts to help farmers negotiate the energy landscape – even with 38% of UK farmers having already invested in some renewables – farms are not yet fulfilling their potential as significant players in our energy system. Progress is being held back by a number of removable barriers, notably gaining access to the grid, supporting planning, availability of finance and inconsistent and inaccessible information. Farmers are finding ways to invest in renewables despite the system, rather than because of it, and consequently farm-based energy is not playing the substantive role it could. This represents a missed opportunity, not only to diversify our energy infrastructure, but also to build resilience in both the energy and food systems (for example, by diversifying income streams), while revitalising struggling rural communities. More information available from Forum for the Future, and by following the link forumforthefuture.org/Farm_Power
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 08:09:53 +0000
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