NFU Energy Launches an End-of-Year Buying Group with SmartestEnergy Business

Joshua Robinson — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 07:56:54 +0000

We’re thrilled to announce that our new buying group with SmartestEnergy Business has officially launched today! This exciting opportunity is open for a limited time, offering exceptional energy benefits to customers whose contracts are due for renewal before 15 May 2025. Welcome SmartestEnergy

Willow Biomass at Sydney House Farm: A Sustainable Diversification Strategy

Gemma Bower — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 07:56:54 +0000

Sydney House Farm in Shropshire has transformed part of its operation to focus on willow cultivation, an innovative move toward environmental sustainability. Led by the Moseley family, the decision to grow willow for biomass stems from practical land management and environmental goals, particularly

NFU Energy’s New Magazine for Farmers and Growers Now Available

Gemma Bower — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 07:56:54 +0000

We’re thrilled to announce the release of NFU Energy’s latest magazine, tailored specifically for British farmers and growers. This edition is available in the December issues of British Farmer and Grower and Farming Wales, bringing insights and expert advice to help farmers manage energy more

Transforming Waste into Energy and Biochar: EBRI’s Pyrolysis Technology

Eirinn Rusbridge — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 07:56:54 +0000

NFU Energy’s Senior Project Engineer, Eirinn Rusbridge, recently visited the Energy & Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston University to explore their innovative pyrolysis technology. During the visit, Eirinn interviewed Tim Miller, EBRI’s Director of Engagement, to discuss how

Join NFU Energy for a Countryside COP Webinar: How Sustainable is Your Farm?

Gemma Bower — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 08:56:54 +0100

As part of Countryside COP4, NFU Energy is excited to host a webinar, "How Sustainable is Your Farm? A Practical Guide to Energy and Carbon Efficiency," on 05 November 2024 from 2:00pm - 3:00pm. This webinar offers practical strategies for farmers looking to enhance sustainability and take

Don’t Get Caught Out by SECR: A Q&A with Dr. Sophie Archer

Sophie Archer — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 12:56:54 +0100

Since its introduction in 2018, Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) has become a key compliance requirement for large UK companies. Designed to enhance transparency around energy consumption and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, SECR also encourages businesses to adopt energy efficiency

Key Insights from the UK Government's Recent Climate Change Agreement (CCA) Consultation

Steven Leil — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:40:47 +0100

The UK Government has recently released its response to the recent Climate Change Agreement (CCA) scheme consultation. Held between November 2023 and February 2024, the consultation gathered feedback on proposed changes and the scheme's extension, which has now been confirmed for an additional six

Claiming Tax Relief: The Benefits of CHP Systems

Steven Leil — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 08:56:54 +0100

Understanding the Climate Change Levy (CCL) is crucial for businesses aiming to manage energy costs and enhance sustainability. This tax on energy consumption impacts sectors like horticulture, but relief schemes, such as the NFU CCL Scheme, can offer significant savings. In this blog, Steven Leil

Everything you need to know about MCPD

Sophie Archer — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 10:56:54 +0100

This week, we caught up with Dr Sophie Archer, Environmental Compliance Consultant here at NFU Energy to discuss insights from the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD), the importance of maintaining compliance ahead of the looming deadline, and how businesses can prepare for upcoming

Q&A with Will Rowe - The Path to Biomass Crop Production

Gemma Bower — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 10:56:54 +0100

The NFU recently sat down with Will Rowe, Student Advisory Member on the Envirocrops project, to discuss his role in enhancing the project's development and raising awareness of sustainable practices. Here's what Will had to say about his involvement and his vision for the future of the project.

Fully Funded Decarbonisation Initiative for North Yorkshire Farmers – Express Your Interest Today!

Roger Stones — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0100

Are you a farmer in North Yorkshire looking to cut costs, improve sustainability, and future-proof your farm? The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, in partnership with NFU Energy, has launched a farm decarbonisation initiative offering 30 farms a unique opportunity to receive fully

Expert Guidance on Securing the Best Deal with Business Energy Contracts

Joshua Robinson — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 10:56:54 +0100

Energy contracts are a crucial aspect of managing your energy costs and ensuring reliable supply. Whether you are negotiating new contracts or reviewing existing ones, understanding the terms and implications is essential for effective energy management. At NFU Energy, our contracts team is here to

ESOS Phase 3: Key Insights, Action Plans and Preparing for Phase 4

Roger Stones — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 10:56:54 +0100

This month, we caught up with Roger Stones at NFU Energy to discuss learnings from the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) Phase 3, developing your Action Plan and getting ahead for ESOS Phase 4 As the UK intensifies its commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, ESOS continues to

Join NFU Energy and Farming Connect's Webinar: How to Be Energy Smart on Farm – 22 October 2024

Steven Jackson — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:56:54 +0100

NFU Energy is excited to invite you to a special online webinar, in collaboration with Farming Connect, aimed at helping farmers across the UK maximise energy efficiency on their farms. This free event is perfect for anyone looking to cut down on energy costs, invest in renewable energy, and get

Thinking About Renewables? Here’s Five Reasons Why You Should Conduct a Feasibility Study with NFU Energy

Steven Jackson — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 08:56:54 +0100

As the busy farming season winds down for most, now is the perfect time to start planning for your renewable energy future. With energy demands high and schedules more flexible, this is an ideal moment to consider integrating renewables into your operations. Conducting a feasibility study with NFU

Get Up to 13 Months of Free Standing Charge with NFU Energy’s September Buying Group

Joshua Robinson — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 08:56:54 +0100

We’re excited to announce a new opportunity for all NFU, NFU Cymru and NFU Scotland members to help you save even more on your energy bills. This September, we’ve partnered with EDF Energy to bring you an exclusive buying group with some incredible benefits. This buying group is designed for NFU

Unlocking Government Funding for EV Charging with NFU Energy

Thomas Ovenden — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 10:56:54 +0100

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more prevalent, the demand for effective charging infrastructure is on the rise. However, the cost of installing EV charging points can be substantial. Thankfully, the UK Government offers several funding schemes to alleviate these expenses, and NFU Energy is well-

Fylde Fresh and Fabulous Wins World’s Best Biogas Plant Award!

Wilna Stones — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:56:54 +0100

We are thrilled to share the remarkable achievement of one of our Energy Account Managed customers, Fylde Fresh and Fabulous. At the recent World Biogas Association awards in Birmingham, they won the prestigious award for World’s Best Biogas Plant. This recognition underscores their exceptional

Join NFU Energy’s Webinar: Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant – Essential Guidance for Poultry Farmers – 04 September, 10-11 AM

Molly Bourne — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 08:56:54 +0100

NFU Energy, in partnership with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), invites all poultry farmers in England to an exclusive webinar on the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant (Round 1). This event will provide essential guidance on how to enhance the health and welfare of your laying hens

Essential RHI Compliance: Heat Meter Recalibration or Replacement

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 10:56:54 +0100

As part of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) programme, it is a requirement to ensure your system remains compliant to continue receiving your benefits. One critical requirement is the recalibration or replacement of heat meters every 10 years. This process is crucial for maintaining accurate

Cultivating Power: Tomato Energy and NFU Energy Introduce a New Era of Agricultural Electricity Supply

Joshua Robinson — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:56:54 +0100

In a groundbreaking collaboration, NFU Energy has teamed up with Tomato Energy to drive change in electricity supply for agricultural businesses. As the first energy provider to offer tailored support and preferential rates specifically for the farming sector, Tomato Energy is disrupting the Big

NFU Energy Takes the Plunge into Water Bill Management - Your One-Stop Shop for Electricity, Gas and Water!

Joshua Robinson — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 08:56:54 +0100

At NFU Energy, our mission is to ensure you get the best possible deals on all your utility services. Our Utilities Contract Management (UCM) team has been diligently working to secure the most competitive energy prices for our customers through daily communication with our trusted network of

Save with NFU Energy’s August Buying Group with Yu Energy!

Joshua Robinson — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 08:56:54 +0100

At NFU Energy, our mission is to help you cut down on energy costs and promote sustainable practices. We’re thrilled to share that we’ve teamed up with Yu Energy to offer you exclusive savings through our new buying group initiative. NFU Energy Buying Groups: How They Work NFU Energy Buying

Exciting News: Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant Round 1 Applications Open!

Thomas Ovenden — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 08:56:54 +0100

We are excited to announce the opening of applications for the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant Round 1, a significant initiative by Defra to improve the quality of life of laying hens in England. This grant, managed by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), supports projects aimed at

NFU Energy Leads the Way: First and Only Consultancy with Approved GGSS Application

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 08:56:54 +0100

At NFU Energy, we're proud to reaffirm our position as the leading consultancy with the first and only approved Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) application to date. What is the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS)? Introduced by the Government in November 2021, the scheme aims to incentivise the

Is Your Energy Contract Coming Up for Renewal or Looking for a New Supplier? Get the Best Deal with Added Benefits through NFU Energy’s July Buying Group with Scottish Power!

Joshua Robinson — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 08:56:54 +0100

At NFU Energy, our mission is to help you reduce your energy costs while promoting sustainable practices. Building on the success of our previous buying groups, we're thrilled to announce July’s NFU Energy Buying Group with Scottish Power. This initiative will bring you exclusive savings and

NFU Energy Closes Environmental Incentive Payment Scheme for Beet Growers Due to Overwhelming Demand

Steven Leil — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 12:00:50 +0100

[html format="ckeditor" different_values="0"]NFU Energy recently announced the formalisation of a new pilot program, offering growers enticing incentives for achieving carbon reductions on beet crops in 2024. Due to the overwhelming demand, we have now filled all allocations and fully allocated all

Exciting News: NFU Energy Welcomes Valda Energy as a New Supplier!

Joshua Robinson — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 08:56:54 +0100

Navigating the energy market can sometimes feel like a daunting task, but here at NFU Energy, we're dedicated to making that journey as smooth as possible for our valued clients. We're thrilled to announce our partnership with Valda Energy, a leading energy specialist for small businesses.

Energy Now and NFU Energy confirm continuing partnership

Gemma Bower — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 08:56:54 +0100

Energy Now and NFU Energy confirm continuing partnership Energy Now and NFU Energy will continue to work together to provide farmers and land managers with the information and guidance necessary to support their clean energy and sustainability objectives. Energy Now has been providing farmers

The Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuels vs. Renewable Energy: Making the Switch for a Healthier Planet

Thomas Ovenden — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 08:56:54 +0100

As we conclude our Great Big Go Green Week, we take a closer look at one of the most important issues: the environmental impact of fossil fuels versus renewable energy. Understanding the significant differences between these energy sources is crucial for recognising the benefits of making the

Your Guide to Switching to Renewables: A Step-by-Step Process

Thomas Ovenden — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 08:56:54 +0100

As part of our Great Big Go Green Week celebrations, we're excited to bring you a comprehensive guide to making the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Transitioning to renewables can seem daunting, but with the right information and support, it can be a smooth and rewarding process. Here

NFU Energy Photo Competition: Showcasing Renewable Innovations on Farms

Gemma Bower — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 12:47:35 +0100

Join the Movement During Great Big Green Week! NFU Energy is excited to announce the launch of our photo competition in celebration of Great Big Green Week taking place 08-16 June! This year’s theme centres around making swaps to create a safer, greener future; therefore, we’re on a mission to

Join Our Webinar! Solar Solutions for Every Farm: Finding the Perfect Fit

Molly Bourne — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 08:56:54 +0100

As part of the nationwide Great Big Green Week, NFU Energy is excited to announce our upcoming webinar, "Solar Solutions for Every Farm: Finding the Perfect Fit," on Wednesday 12 June at 10:00am. In collaboration with Mypower, one of our accredited renewable energy installers, we are inviting the

Celebrating Great Big Green Week with NFU Energy

Molly Bourne — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 08:56:54 +0100

At NFU Energy, we’re excited to celebrate Great Big Green Week from 8 to 16 June! This week-long campaign is all about encouraging our community to swap together and at NFU Energy, we’re encouraging you to consider swapping fossil fuels for renewable energy. Here’s a sneak peek at the events and

Missed Our Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Webinar? Watch the Replay Now!

Molly Bourne — Fri, 24 May 2024 08:56:54 +0100

Thank you to everyone who joined NFU Energy's webinar, "Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Clinic Webinar: Optimise, Comply and Get Your Questions Answered!" held on Wednesday 22 May. Whether you attended the webinar or not, we're happy to announce that the replay is now available on our newly

Yorkshire Farmers Lead the Way in Hydrogen Fuel Innovation for Agriculture

Molly Bourne — Tue, 21 May 2024 08:56:54 +0100

Farmers across Yorkshire have a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in the future of sustainable agriculture. The Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) and Cenex are leading a project to explore the potential of hydrogen (H2) as a replacement for fossil fuels on farms. This initiative

Stay Cool, Stay Informed with NFU Energy’s Summer Magazine!

Gemma Bower — Fri, 17 May 2024 08:56:54 +0100

The Summer edition of NFU Energy’s special publication magazine has officially landed! Crafted exclusively for farmers and growers, this issue covers a range of topics to help businesses navigate the complexities of energy management and sustainability. NFU members will receive their copy in the

Save with NFU Energy’s Buying Group with Yu Energy!

Joshua Robinson — Thu, 02 May 2024 08:56:54 +0100

At NFU Energy, we're committed to helping you save on your energy costs while supporting sustainable practices. We're excited to announce our new partnership with Yu Energy to bring you exclusive savings through our buying group initiative. NFU Energy Buying Groups: How They Work NFU Energy

Let Us Take Away the Stress of Managing Your Business's Energy

Molly Bourne — Wed, 01 May 2024 08:56:54 +0100

Are you tired of juggling energy contracts, navigating regulations, and striving to optimise energy efficiency while minimising costs? At NFU Energy, we understand the challenges businesses face in managing their energy needs. That's why we're thrilled to showcase our Energy Account Management

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Clinic Webinar: Join Us on 22 May!

Molly Bourne — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 08:56:54 +0100

Are you looking to harness the full potential of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme? NFU Energy invites you to our exclusive webinar, the RHI Clinic, designed to empower you with insights, clarity, and actionable strategies. Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Clinic Webinar: Optimise, Comply

Understanding REGOs: A Q&A Session with Verinder Singh

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 08:56:54 +0100

In this Q&A blog, we delve into the intricacies of Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) with Verinder Singh, NFU Energy's Sales Development Manager. Verinder sheds light on the significance of REGOs for businesses, their financial benefits, claiming and transferring processes,

Your Checklist to RHI Compliance with NFU Energy

Thomas Wilkins — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:56:54 +0000

At NFU Energy, we understand the importance of maximising the benefits of renewable energy solutions, not only for sustainability but also for financial viability. One scheme that has revolutionised the renewable energy landscape is the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (NDRHI). Designed to

Low Carbon Agriculture 2024 Recap

Molly Bourne — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 07:56:54 +0000

NFU Energy showcased its commitment to sustainable farming practices at the Low Carbon Agriculture exhibition on 6-7 March 2024, at NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. As the UK strides towards Net Zero emissions by 2050, this event served as a vital platform for discussions on low-carbon solutions in

NFU Energy Announces the Upcoming E.ON Next Buying Group: Are You Ready to Join for Savings and Sustainability?

Joshua Robinson — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 07:56:54 +0000

At NFU Energy, we're constantly striving to empower our members with opportunities that not only save money but also contribute to a Net Zero future. That's why we're excited to announce the launch of our latest buying group with E.ON Next! How does it work? Our buying groups bring together

Join NFU Energy's Scottish Power Buying Group Today!

Joshua Robinson — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 07:56:54 +0000

Are you looking to cut down on your energy bills? Well, look no further! NFU Energy is excited to announce an exclusive opportunity for NFU and NFU Scotland members to join our Scottish Power Buying Group this month. With this limited-time offer, you can seize the chance to maximise savings on your

RHI: Don’t Fall Foul of Not Being Ofgem Audit-Ready!

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 07:56:54 +0000

Ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks is crucial for businesses, especially in sectors like renewable energy where incentives like the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) can significantly impact operations. At NFU Energy, we understand the importance of staying audit-ready and

NFU Energy's Bold Response to Ofgem’s Standing Charges Consultation

Gemma Bower — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 17:28:17 +0000

In response to the recent Call for Input on Standing Charges issued by Ofgem on 16 November 2023, NFU Energy has voiced critical concerns and proposed actionable solutions tailored to the challenges faced by its diverse customer base, primarily comprising agricultural and associated sectors. The

NFU Conference 2024 Recap

Molly Bourne — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 07:56:54 +0000

Last week, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) brought together British farmers, growers, industry experts, and policymakers at the ICC in Birmingham for its annual NFU Conference. Amid discussions on the challenges facing British agriculture and the trajectory for its future, NFU Energy proudly

Reports of scam phone calls to energy contract customers

Joshua Robinson — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 16:42:35 +0000

NFU Energy has received reports from members who have been the target of scam phone calls from brokers and energy companies purporting to be their supplier, pressuring them into signing new contracts. These companies have no relation to the NFU or NFU Energy and should be ignored. What steps

Solar Solutions: Unlocking Government Grants for Clean Energy Initiatives – Join Our Webinar

Molly Bourne — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 07:56:54 +0000

Are you a farmer or grower in England wondering if it's time to make the switch to solar energy? Curious about the government support available for clean energy initiatives? If so, join us for an insightful webinar hosted by NFU Energy. We're excited to bring together experts in the field to guide

Join NFU Energy at The Low Carbon Agriculture Show

Molly Bourne — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 07:56:54 +0000

The agricultural landscape is rapidly evolving, with a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness. For those seeking to stay at the forefront of this transformation, the Low Carbon Agriculture Show is an unmissable event. Scheduled to take place at the NAEC, Stoneleigh, from

UK Government Announces Solar Grants for Farmers

Thomas Ovenden — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 07:56:54 +0000

In a recent announcement by the UK Government, farmers and rural businesses have reason to celebrate as the Environment Secretary, Steve Barclay, unveiled a comprehensive plan to support innovation and productivity in the agricultural sector. NFU Energy is thrilled to share the latest developments

ESOS Phase 3: Latest Updates

Eirinn Rusbridge — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 07:56:54 +0000

The latest guidance on the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) was published on 29 November 2023. In this blog we highlight the latest changes and updates to ensure your business is ESOS compliant ahead of the looming deadline. The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is compulsory for

NFU Energy's Biggest Buying Group Yet with Scottish Power!

Joshua Robinson — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 07:56:54 +0000

At NFU Energy, our commitment to helping NFU and NFU Scotland members achieve significant savings on energy costs continues to grow stronger. We're thrilled to announce our biggest buying group yet with Scottish Power, one of the leading energy suppliers in the UK. If you've never taken out a

NFU Energy's Stress-Free Solution to Meet the CHPQA Submission Deadline!

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 07:56:54 +0000

As we approach the looming deadline for Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA) annual certification on 31 March 2024, NFU Energy offers a complete solution for the entire process, on behalf of Registered Participants (RPs). How can NFU Energy help? A key part of maintaining

£4million Smaller Abattoir Fund Launched to Enhance Sustainability and Efficiency

Molly Bourne — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 07:56:54 +0000

The UK Government has launched the £4 million Smaller Abattoir Fund to increase the sustainability and efficiency of smaller red meat and poultry abattoirs across England. Announced on 13 December 2023 by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the Rural Payments Agency (

Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) Phase 3 Unveiled in 2024

Molly Bourne — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 07:56:54 +0000

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has recently announced the much-anticipated Phase 3 of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF), solidifying the UK Government's commitment to advancing the sustainability agenda. Building upon the success of Phases 1 and 2, Phase 3 is

Exploring Innovation and Efficiency in Greenhouse Crop Growing: Join the GrowSave Study Tour to the Netherlands

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 07:56:54 +0000

Excitement is in the air as the GrowSave project invites horticultural enthusiasts to embark on a unique learning experience with the upcoming GrowSave Study Tour to the Netherlands. Scheduled for the 19 to 21 March 2024, this event for UK growers promises an insightful journey into the latest

UK Government Unveils Simplified Solar Installation Rules

Thomas Ovenden — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 07:56:54 +0000

In a significant stride towards a sustainable future, the UK Government has unveiled game-changing planning rules that streamline the installation of rooftop solar panels for homes and businesses. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, in collaboration with Lee Rowley MP and The

Recap of NFU Energy's Webinar on Farm Resilience through Energy Self-Sufficiency

Molly Bourne — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 07:56:54 +0000

At NFU Energy, we recently hosted an engaging webinar titled "Fuelling Farm Resilience: Strategies for Energy Self-Sufficiency." The event aimed to empower farmers with the knowledge and tools necessary to break free from volatile energy markets, enhance energy efficiency, and embrace renewable

Join Us at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show 2024

Molly Bourne — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 07:56:54 +0000

NFU Energy is thrilled to be exhibiting at the highly anticipated Low Carbon Agriculture exhibition and conference, set to take place on 6-7 March 2024, at NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. This collaborative effort, alongside the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and the recent integration with

Navigating Schemes and Incentives: 2024 Key Dates

Molly Bourne — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:56:54 +0000

At NFU Energy, we understand that staying on top of the dynamic energy landscape is crucial for your business. In 2024, several key dates demand your attention to ensure compliance, unlock incentives, and optimise your energy initiatives. Let's delve into the pivotal dates that could shape your

Top Tips for Energy Efficiency this Winter

Molly Bourne — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:56:54 +0000

As winter sets in and the chill begins to creep across the farm, there's no better time to tighten the reins on energy consumption. The bitter cold and shorter days often mean increased energy usage, but with a strategic approach, you can cut costs and make your farm operations more sustainable.

Empowering the Future: Highlights from NFU Energy's Accredited Installer Event

Thomas Ovenden — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 07:56:54 +0000

At NFU Energy, we recently had the pleasure of hosting an event that brought together our exceptional team of renewable energy accredited installers hailing from every corner of the country. This gathering not only served as a moment to extend our gratitude for their unwavering dedication and hard

A win for horticulture and poultry businesses participating in the Climate Change Agreement Scheme

Steven Leil — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 15:27:36 +0000

NFU Energy is delighted to announce a significant victory for horticulture and poultry businesses participating in the Climate Change Agreement (CCA) scheme. Following a recent decision to extend the CCA scheme by an additional two years, with the closing date now set for March 2027, a new Target

NFU Energy on the road this winter!

Molly Bourne — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 07:56:54 +0000

We're looking forward to exhibiting at a variation of shows across the country this autumn, giving customers the opportunity to come and speak to us about all things energy. You can find the team at the following shows this winter, starting with Farm Business Innovation on 15-16 November

Our latest magazine has landed!

Gemma Bower — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 12:03:17 +0000

Welcome to another edition of NFU Energy’s special publication magazine, crafted exclusively for the resilient and forward-thinking farmers and growers who are at the forefront of transforming our agricultural landscape. In this issue, we delve into a myriad of topics that are vital for the

Remain compliant with NFU Energy’s CHPQA Audit Support Service

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 07:56:54 +0000

For systems accredited under the CHPQA, audits are a routine part of the compliance process, and you can be selected for an audit at any time. At NFU Energy, we understand the significance of this process and offer our specialised CHPQA Audit Support Service to help ease the burden and ensure

Webinar - Fuelling Farm Resilience: Strategies for Energy Self-Sufficiency

Gemma Bower — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 17:54:44 +0000

Do you want the freedom from volatile energy markets and to put money back in your pocket? Then this webinar is for you! Join NFU Energy’s Head of Contract Sales Joshua Robinson, and Project Engineer Jonathan Sandercock who will provide insights into the energy market and get you on the road to energy self-sufficiency.

NFU Energy and Anelec Join Forces to Boost Renewable Energy Solutions

Thomas Ovenden — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:56:54 +0000

At NFU Energy, we are thrilled to announce our exciting new partnership with Anelec, an accredited renewable energy solutions installer. This partnership represents a significant step in our commitment to supporting our customers in the North with sustainable energy solutions. Anelec, a company

Our continued green partnership with leading energy supplier, E.ON Next

Joshua Robinson — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 08:56:54 +0100

In a significant move towards promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness, we're proud to announce our continued partnership with E.ON Next, a renowned leader in the energy sector. Our ongoing relationship marks a significant step in the agricultural and horticultural industry's

Join Us at the Farm Business Innovation Show 2023!

Molly Bourne — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 08:56:54 +0100

The Farm Business Innovation Show is just around the corner and NFU Energy is thrilled to join the NFU and NFU Mutual’s stand at this exciting event. Scheduled for 15 and 16 November at the NEC, Birmingham, this show is a must-attend for farmers, landowners, and agricultural professionals

Green Gas Support Scheme: Extension announced!

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 11:12:28 +0100

In response to the recent consultation on the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS), government has announced that the scheme has now been extended to 31 March 2028 from its original date of 30 November 2025. It is hoped that this will provide prospective applicants sufficient time to apply for and

NFU Energy's 'End of Year' Buying Group: Secure Your Business Energy Contract and Win Big!

Joshua Robinson — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 08:56:54 +0100

Are you an NFU member? If so, we have some fantastic news for you. NFU Energy is thrilled to introduce our exclusive 'End of Year' Buying Group, designed specifically for NFU members. This initiative not only offers our members lower energy prices compared to our standard offerings but also

NFU Energy Partners with YLEM Energy to Power a Sustainable Future

Thomas Ovenden — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 08:56:54 +0100

NFU Energy is thrilled to announce a partnership with YLEM Energy, a renowned provider of renewable energy generation solutions, welcoming them as one of our new accredited installers of behind-the-meter assets, such as Solar-PV. In recent years, an increasing number of farmers have turned to

Fuelling Your Future with NFU Energy: FAQs on Post-RHI Renewable Heat Opportunities

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:58:01 +0100

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, which aimed to promote the adoption of renewable heating technologies in the UK, has officially ended. However, this doesn't mean that the opportunity to benefit from renewable heat technologies and remain compliant with the scheme's regulations has

Calf Housing for Health and Welfare Grant

Thomas Ovenden — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 08:56:54 +0100

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has introduced grants of between £15,000 and £500,000 to the agricultural community for large infrastructure projects that will help to continually improve the health and welfare of your animals. The Calf Housing for Health and Welfare Grant, which forms part of

Streamlining Regulatory Compliance: The Role of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in Combustion Plant Compliance

Sophie Archer — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 08:56:54 +0100

In today’s environmentally conscious world, adherence to environmental regulations is a non-negotiable commitment. Whether you're running a Local Authority-permitted plant (Part B, Part A2) or navigating the more intricate terrain of Environment Agency regulations (MCPD, Part A1), one key element

Understanding MCPD and Replacement Plants: Environmental Regulations for Renewable Energy Projects

Sophie Archer — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 08:56:54 +0100

In the constantly changing landscape of renewable energy and environmental regulations, it's crucial for energy producers to stay updated on the latest requirements. One such set of regulations that impacts plant replacement in the UK is the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD). This directive

Harnessing the Power of the Sun: Your Guide to Solar Farm Opportunities with NFU Energy

Thomas Ovenden — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 08:43:54 +0100

In an age where sustainability and renewable energy are paramount, solar farms have become a compelling investment option for businesses aiming to contribute to a cleaner, greener world. These expansive arrays of solar panels offer numerous advantages, while battery storage systems address the

Explore Envirocrops and be in with a chance to win!

Gemma Bower — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 16:21:09 +0100

Are you someone who is passionate about sustainable farming and making a positive impact on our planet? Enter Envirocrops.com, a cutting-edge web-based app and STEM game designed to educate and engage agricultural enthusiasts in the world of biomass production and sustainable farming practices.

Navigating MCPD Surrender and Relocation: A Vital Step in Boiler Ownership

Sophie Archer — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 08:56:54 +0100

In the ever-evolving landscape of energy management, compliance with regulations is of paramount importance. When it comes to the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD), surrender and relocation processes take centre stage for those involved in selling or acquiring boilers, especially those with

Autumn Buying Group Offer - a 'Lite' Announcement

Joshua Robinson — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 08:56:54 +0100

The NFU Energy team spend a lot of time negotiating and lobbying with suppliers to ensure our Buying Groups are as competitive as possible. We are pleased to announce that we will be running our first Buying Group with British Gas Lite, meaning you will still benefit from great prices with a

Six reasons why you should join the NFU CCL Scheme before it’s too late!

Steven Leil — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 10:37:59 +0100

In the current dynamic landscape, where environmental issues are a focal point, businesses in every sector are being urged to take action and contribute to combating climate change. The agriculture and horticulture industry, being a significant player in the emissions game, holds a unique

NFU Energy joins forces with Forster Group to drive solar solutions for the agriculture sector

Thomas Ovenden — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 10:21:25 +0100

NFU Energy has announced Forster Group as its new approved supplier of solar and associated roofing services to the agriculture sector. Founded over 30 years ago by John Forster, the company is one of Scotland’s longest established providers of roof-top and ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV

Why you can trust us with your energy contract

Molly Bourne — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 11:30:22 +0100

Joshua Robinson, our Head of Contract Sales at NFU Energy, shares valuable insights for making decisions about securing the best contracts for your business. Discover the key factors to consider and learn why utilising NFU Energy can be your solution for obtaining the most beneficial energy

Empowering Communities for a Sustainable Future: The Community Energy Fund

Molly Bourne — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:00:15 +0100

The UK Government has taken a step towards a greener future by launching the Community Energy Fund, a £10 million initiative aimed at supporting urban and rural communities in developing their own renewable energy projects. This exciting opportunity is set to open its doors for applications in the

Introducing NFU Energy's New Wind Installer: Alternative Energy Contracting (AEC)

Jenny Beynon — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 10:37:27 +0100

In a world where the need for sustainable energy solutions is more crucial than ever, NFU Energy proudly introduces our latest innovation in the field of renewable energy - Alternative Energy Contracting (AEC). As a family-run renewable energy company, AEC specialises in wind turbines, offering

Maximising CHPQA Success: Stay Ahead with NFU Energy’s Early Data Review

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 08:45:59 +0100

The Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA) annual certification process is a crucial requirement for all Responsible Persons (RPs) operating Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generators in CHPQA. To ensure a smooth and efficient certification process, it’s essential for RPs to compile energy

Take control of your energy costs with our brand-new price comparison website

Joshua Robinson — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 10:02:30 +0100

We are thrilled to launch our brand-new energy price comparison website. Our user-friendly online tool simplifies the process of finding the best energy contracts, making it a breeze to compare prices and switch to suppliers with more favourable offers tailored to your needs. Tailored Offers

HH Meter Standing Charge Surprises: Navigating TCR Charges with NFU Energy

Candace Robb — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:50:45 +0100

The energy landscape is ever evolving and standing charges have become the latest surprise for many customers. As the energy crisis gradually subsides, consumers are now facing a new challenge - dealing with substantial hikes in their standing charges. At NFU Energy, we've been keeping a close

Your Guide to Anaerobic Digestion: One of our Renewable Energy Solutions

Molly Bourne — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:01:22 +0100

As the world increasingly shifts its focus towards renewable and sustainable energy sources, anaerobic digestion has emerged as a promising new technology. At NFU Energy, we’re committed to promoting a greener and more sustainable future. In this blog, we explore the concept of anaerobic digestion

Introducing Infinite Energy, NFU Energy’s new approved supplier for Wind Turbines

Thomas Ovenden — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 09:14:22 +0100

NFU Energy is delighted to be in partnership with Infinite Renewables in its quest to help the farming community achieve carbon neutrality in the years to come. Infinite is one of our approved supplier for wind turbines for NFU members and other NFU Energy clients. Since its

Deadlines announced for environmental permit applications

Sophie Archer — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 11:38:31 +0100

The Environment Agency (EA) has officially announced deadline dates for applying for Medium Combustion Plant (MCP) and Specified Generator environmental permits, which are mandatory for anyone that operate plants over 1 MWth input to comply with the requirements of the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR).

Harnessing the Power of Wind

Thomas Ovenden — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 10:49:55 +0100

NFU Energy is excited to announce two new wind installers, Infinite Energy and Alternative Energy Contracting (AEC), to our growing list of services for NFU members and our customers. Wind turbines present an exciting alternative to solar panels and can even complement existing panels by

Low Carbon Agriculture Show forms part of Agriconnect

Gemma Bower — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 11:56:28 +0100

NFU Energy is delighted to hear that Agriconnect, the UK’s largest agricultural information business, has enhanced its portfolio with the acquisition of Low Carbon Agriculture (LCA), founded by Energy Now. Agriconnect, renowned for publishing Farmers Guardian and other leading titles, has a

We're excited to have Volt-Age onboard as one of our accredited installers

Jenny Beynon — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 14:46:20 +0100

Welcome NFU Energy's new accredited installer of Renewable Energy Solutions, Volt-Age. Volt-Age is a provider of renewable energy solutions in the Midlands. They offer a diverse range of sustainable solutions to fit individual needs and sustainability goals. Their commitment to delivering

Introducing Ineco Energy our latest Renewable Energy Solutions partner

Jenny Beynon — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 10:31:30 +0100

NFU Energy is delighted to be partnering with Ineco Energy - our latest Renewable Energy Solutions partner. Helping to deliver the NFU’s missions of reaching Net Zero by 2040, this partnership will enable even more farmers and growers to get high quality installations to help them save money and

Summer Buying Group: Renew your energy contract to be entered into our prize draw!

Joshua Robinson — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 10:18:52 +0100

With energy security for this coming winter still a concern and the Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS) not providing much support, the NFU Energy team have managed to secure a Summer 2023 Buying Group. Following on from the success of the Spring Buying Group in partnership with EDF Energy,

New CCL entrants and those wanting to add other sites, apply now!

Steven Leil — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:26:06 +0100

Take advantage of lower Climate Change Levy payments. The Horticulture sector has faced many challenges over the last 12 months with hugely inflated energy bills alongside dramatic rises in other input costs. The same can also be said for both the Pigs and Poultry sectors too. The

Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) - everything you need to know

Sophie Archer — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 12:01:24 +0100

In this blog I'll be answering your questions on the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD), and why farmers and growers need to act now to ensure they have an environmental permit in place. Why do businesses need to have an environmental permit? If they operate a medium combustion plant (

Meet our new Grads!

Gemma Bower — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 10:58:43 +0100

We're excited to welcome our Graduate Trainees that have joined us on NFU Energy's brand new Graduate Scheme. This two-year programme will give our grads exposure to a variety of roles and departments within NFU Energy, with the view to move them into a Project Engineer role at the end of the

Energy Bill Discount Scheme: Apply now for ETII and Heat Supplier Support

Joshua Robinson — Wed, 31 May 2023 17:58:30 +0100

In response to the challenges posed by increasing energy prices, the UK Government launched the Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS), which replaces the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS). This new initiative offers discounted unit rates on fixed-price contracts signed on or after 1 December 2021.

Interventions necessary for a successful Clean Heat Market Mechanism

Jon Swain — Fri, 26 May 2023 14:08:35 +0100

The transition to cleaner energy sources is a critical step in addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As the world seeks to decarbonise various sectors, the heating industry stands out as a significant contributor to carbon emissions. Recognising the need for alternatives

Introducing Katie, NFU Energy's ESOS Lead Assessor

Gemma Bower — Fri, 19 May 2023 16:33:12 +0100

Katie comes to NFU Energy with a wealth of experience, and we're very fortunate to have her on board! Katie has been working in environmental and sustainability consulting for over 25 years across a variety of sectors and geographies including: Logistics and warehousing

UK Farm to Fork Summit hears energy security is linked to food security

Gemma Bower — Wed, 17 May 2023 17:39:52 +0100

Following years of NFU campaigning, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held the first UK Farm to Fork Summit on 16 May, bringing together representatives from across the UK supply chain to discuss vital measures needed to build resilience for British food security. One of the key outcomes

We can help get your GGSS application over the line

Anonymous — Wed, 17 May 2023 11:42:27 +0100

The Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS), which was introduced in November 2021, is a government environmental incentive scheme that provides financial support for plants producing biomethane via anaerobic digestion, which is injected into the gas grid. Tariffs are calculated to compensate plants

NFU Energy on the road this summer!

Gemma Bower — Fri, 12 May 2023 16:01:58 +0100

We're looking forward to joining the NFU and NFU Mutual on their stands at a variety of agricultural shows across the country this summer, giving members the opportunity to come and speak to us about all things energy. You can find the team at the following shows on the NFU and/or NFU Mutual

Have your say on the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS)

Anonymous — Fri, 05 May 2023 12:47:04 +0100

UK Government is seeking views on its proposed policy changes to the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) as part of the mid-scheme review. The GGSS is a government environmental scheme that provides financial incentives for plants producing biomethane via anaerobic digestion, which is

Get smart with a smart meter

Gemma Bower — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0100

Smart meters, quite simply, are a newer type of meter that record how much gas and electricity you and/or your business uses, and provide automatic readings to your energy supplier. All energy suppliers must aim to install smart meters in every home and business as part of the

Interested in energy crops? The decision-making tool is here!

Gemma Bower — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0100

If you are looking to diversify your holding, you might want to get your head around the range of biomass crops (for example, miscanthus and short rotation coppice) and see if they are suitable for your land to provide an alternative income stream. We're excited to announce that the Envirocrops

Renew your existing EDF Energy contract to be entered into our free prize draw!

Joshua Robinson — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 09:56:07 +0100

We've partnered with EDF Energy to relaunch the highly anticipated NFU Energy Buying Group for renewing NFU members. With market volatility over the past six months seeing both members and suppliers hesitant on agreeing contracts, we had no other option than to pause our

Biggest month in history - EV uptake surges to unprecedented levels

Claire Hartry — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 22:02:08 +0100

Read our top five energy-related news stories from the last couple of weeks. Energy is always in the news in one way or another, from renewable energy technology advancements and the latest from the ‘big six’ energy suppliers to advancements in energy saving and sustainability. In this blog, we

The renewable energy opportunity for Scottish Union Members

Claire Hartry — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 15:24:27 +0100

NFU Energy is delighted to announce it is now able to offer it's Renewable Energy Solutions to NFU Scotland members. Installing renewable energy solutions has historically proven challenging to members with some unsure which technology is best for their situation; them not

Renewable Energy Solutions case study - Nick Cupit

Claire Hartry — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:40:07 +0000

Having heard about NFU Energy's Renewable Energy Solutions package, Farmer Nick Cupit got in touch to see about having an installation on his farm. We asked him how he felt about the service, the all important installation process and also what his reasons were for going green

A Reminder – Targeted Charging Review continues with the change to transmission charges set for April 23

Gemma Riley — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 09:48:04 +0000

TNUoS (Transmission Network Use of System) are charges associated with the maintenance of the electricity network; everyone, domestic or non-domestic, pays this charge as part of the ‘non commodity’ expense of electricity. TNUoS has historically been heavily weighted against the Triad

Call for input regarding struggles and challenges getting gas and electricity contracts from suppliers

Jon Swain — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 10:59:26 +0000

Ofgem, who regulate the gas and electricity market, are asking for evidence from customers about recent market failures by suppliers and challenges faced by customers in securing contracts for energy over the last few months, and whether there is any evidence that unfair prices or security deposits

Envirocrops game aims to upskill next generation of rural decision makers

Claire Hartry — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 12:22:58 +0000

The Envirocrops consortium has released its game 'Cropper,' devised as a way of getting school children and students involved in agricultural and environmental studies to better understand how to grow the biomass crops Miscanthus and Short Rotation Coppice willow. These crops are seen as being

Calling all agricultural students!

Claire Hartry — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:54:03 +0000

Are you interested in the Net Zero challenge and the role that biomass crops have in meeting these targets? If so, then read on. Envirocrops is the new decision support app being developed by AFBI, Crops for Energy, NFU Energy and Calvium. It will provide essential, up to date and impartial

NFU Energy joins NFU Scotland's complement of Infinity Partners to source better contracts for members

Claire Hartry — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 10:47:58 +0000

NFU Energy Utilities Contract Management team are delighted to be able to serve Union Members in Scotland with energy contracts, tendered for by our network of well-known energy suppliers. We now offer: An NFU Scotland buying group Assistance with purchasing your next

NFU23: NFU President warns government "the clock is ticking"

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 13:49:12 +0000

We are back from the NFU Conference, big thank you to the NFU team for all their hard work organising a great couple of days. Here is a quick update from the event: **Taken from NFU communication NFU Bulletin In her opening address at NFU Conference Minette delivered a stark message to

Make time to be efficient

Claire Hartry — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 10:00:39 +0000

An NFU Energy energy audit will give you practical steps and solutions in the short, mid and long term to save your business money getting you on the path to net zero. Thanks to our position within the agricultural sector, making on-farm improvements in energy use for over 70 years, we have a

Poplar Farm Walk - learn all about this excellent energy crop

Claire Hartry — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 11:19:49 +0000

Poplar Walk – led by William Jackson Wednesday 8 March 1100-1400 (Includes refreshments and lunch) Meet at the Certainly Wood board room: Lower Lulham Farm, Lulham, Hereford HR2 9JJ at 11am - (Google Maps link here) Are you interested in planting poplar

Expert help to pick biomass crops

Claire Hartry — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:00:39 +0000

Envirocrops offers growers a helping hand when it comes to choosing the most suitable biomass crops for planting in your unique land type and climate. If you are a farmer looking to diversify your holding, you might want to get your head around the range of biomass crops (for example, miscanthus

Eucalyptus Farm Walk - learn all about this super energy crop

Claire Hartry — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:08:16 +0000

Eucalyptus Walk – led by Bryan Elliott Tuesday 7 March 1100-1400 (Includes refreshments and lunch) Meet at the Willow and Wetlands Centre to have tea and coffees at 11am in the Lemon Tree Coffee Shop - (Google Maps link here) We will leave cars there and

Shell reports highest profits in 115 years

Claire Hartry — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:00:39 +0000

A visit to Springhill Nurseries

Claire Hartry — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:00:39 +0000

There’s nothing better for our newer members of staff than to learn by seeing and doing. Given the chance to visit Roly Holt’s Springhill Nurseries just a short drive from Stoneleigh, on the other side of the Cotswolds, Jim and Tom gladly obliged! A couple of weeks ago they accompanied NFU

The EBSS Alternative Funding Team confirms roll out of pilot phase

Jon Swain — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 11:54:49 +0000

The Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) pilot phase was launched on 16 January for test data. The pilot phase is now open for live applications in West Suffolk County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council, Glasgow City Council and Chichester District Council. The

Take control of your energy

Claire Hartry — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:00:39 +0000

There are big changes ahead which could offer more flexibility and cost savings. The green transition has begun but with the continuation of high energy costs facing farmers, the NFU has placed a strong emphasis on calling for greater energy independence in rural communities. Fourteen

Looking forward to Low Carbon Agriculture Expo next week

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 10:00:39 +0000

Low Carbon Agriculture is a vibrant business event for forward thinking farmers, landowners and industry operators, exploring ways to balance sustainable food production with energy and environmental needs. When: 7th and 8th February 2023 Where: NAEC, Stoneleigh Held in

Compliance: Whatever regulations and schemes apply to you...

Claire Hartry — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:09:22 +0000

... CCL, CHPQA, MCPD, UK ETS, ESOS, SECR – we’ve got you covered. Our full application and compliance service is designed to ensure high quality and reliable support for your project to meet any of your requirements. We work in partnership with the NFU and the eligible farming sectors

You have the power

Claire Hartry — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 10:00:39 +0000

Installing rapid EV chargers for drivers of electric cars offers farms a new income stream. NFU Energy can help you to be paid to install rapid EV chargers on farm or onsite near A-roads, which we can offer you in conjunction with our partners. Range anxiety is still prevalent in the EV

The EBRS Successor

Edward Kimberley — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 10:24:10 +0000

Since the government announced the inception of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) in October 2022, NFU Energy has been monitoring its application and developments closely. The scheme from the get-go was advertised as a “temporary” measure that would run until March 31st 2023 and there was much

UK sets new record for wind power generation

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 10:00:39 +0000

Be a part of Low Carbon Agriculture Show 2023

Jenny Beynon — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 14:38:49 +0000

Don't miss your chance to be a part of Low Carbon Agriculture Show in February 2023 - the event that showcases low carbon practises, technology and energy solutions for a profitable and sustainable farming future. In partnership with the National Farmers Union (NFU), Low Carbon Agriculture

Introducing Max Knowles

Claire Hartry — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 10:00:39 +0000

Max Knowles, one of our Energy Account Analysts, explains what he gets most job satisfaction from, what account analysis looks like for our customers and some important factors on export. You’ll have been here 10 years next year Max! Is there anything you haven’t done here related to Energy

BEIS survey to determine further bill relief support for off-grid organisations and businesses

Claire Hartry — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 14:22:50 +0000

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is delivering support to those impacted by increasing energy costs. As part of this, BEIS is conducting research with organisations that are responsible for non-domestic buildings such as business, agriculture, schools, charities

Crucial renewable energy sector to see taxes rise by up to 30 percent

Claire Hartry — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 14:49:05 +0000

By the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association - ADBA, 15 December 2022 Changes to business rates in England and Wales mean that operators of anaerobic digestion plants are facing significantly higher payments starting in April of next year The move is likely to hit farmers

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:00:39 +0000

From everyone here at NFU Energy, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Although it has been a challenging year for everyone, we have enjoyed meeting new customers either face to face at events or over the phone, as

EBRS discount or a fair price?

Candace Robb — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:00:39 +0000

Be aware - Some supplier/brokers are offering rates for contracts that include the government discount, but as this discount is only available until March 2023 these rates are very misleading. We strongly advise that you read the small print on any contract that offers you under 30p per kwh.

What are Triads ... and will they affect you?

Max Knowles — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 14:42:53 +0000

The 'Triad season' is a four-month winter period, during which the National Grid looks back to find the three half-hour periods when electricity demand was highest in the UK. These are known as the 'Triad' demand periods. Why does National Grid identify these 'Triad' demand periods? When

What are Triads ... and will they affect you?

Max Knowles — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 14:25:01 +0000

Llanhilleth wind farm could power 21,500 homes

Claire Hartry — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 09:13:04 +0000

Low Carbon Agriculture Show 2023

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:00:39 +0000

The next Low Carbon Agriculture Show will take place on the 7 - 8 February 2023 at the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre (NAEC), Stoneleigh, to help farmers and landowners to rise to the challenge of producing more domestic, climate friendly food and energy. Following the success of the

NFU Energy is at the following shows

Claire Hartry — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 09:27:30 +0000

Events NFU Energy are attending in the coming weeks We are at EMEX right now! Steve and Jim are on hand to answer any energy questions you may have, and you can catch our Contracts Team Manager Josh Robinson speaking in Theatre 2 (Net Zero) at 12:30 TODAY! Steve

The EnviroCrops team invites you to two Farm Walks

Claire Hartry — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 08:17:38 +0000

Miscanthus Nursery – led by Mike Cooper Tuesday 13 December 1100-1400 (Includes refreshments and lunch) - Lower Marsh Farm, Kingston St Mary, Taunton TA2 8AB Are you interested in planting miscanthus on your land? Or do you already have a miscanthus crop and want to know more about its

Energy generators tax announcement - will it affect you?

Jon Swain — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 16:15:09 +0000

In today’s Autumn Statement the chancellor discussed a raft of measures including a 45% ‘windfall’ tax on the profits of electricity generators, you may be wondering whether this will affect you. Handily there has been a technical guidance note published alongside the announcement that provides us

Introducing Gemma Riley

Claire Hartry — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 10:00:39 +0000

Gemma Riley, one of our Energy Managers, explains what she gets most excited about, how trading works for customers in our size range and what a gas sniffer does! Gemma, you’ve worked with the company for a while now. What has been the biggest change for you having come to us from a

Our first GGSS application has been approved

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 10:00:39 +0000

During October, we received the exciting confirmation that our first Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) application had been approved by Ofgem. In fact, it was one of the first GGSS applications to be accredited! The scheme provides tariff support for plants producing biomethane via anaerobic

Ofgem Audits – Dealing with compliance audits

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:52:52 +0000

Recently, we have experienced an increasing volume of calls related to installations who have been audited under the Feed in Tariff (FiT) Scheme. It can be stressful to receive a strongly worded formal letter following an audit, where issues have been identified, and it can be a daunting task to

Meet our newest team members…

Claire Hartry — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 10:00:39 +0000

Our team has grown again in October, and we would like to introduce you to our newest members of staff. Elliot joins our Technical team, Ed and Lizzy are now embedded in our dedicated Service Delivery team and Debbie is welcomed as the newest member of our CCL department. Elliot Arthur,

Energy Bill Relief Scheme Guidance for CHP

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 13:19:24 +0000

Since the announcement regarding business energy relief in September we have been awaiting guidance on how the relief would be applied to Combined Heat and Power (CHP) operations, in consideration of the gas used to generate electricity supplied to the grid. Late on the 01 November, BEIS

Consider Renewable Energy Solutions with NFU Energy

Claire Hartry — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 15:13:43 +0000

With the price of traditional energy high and rising, our question is ‘are you doing all you can to be using your energy as efficiently as possible?’ If your answer is ‘yes,’ then you should also be thinking about your longer term energy strategy. If you’re buying electricity from the grid

Your feedback required urgently: 6 things you need to know about the Energy Bill Relief Scheme

Jenny Beynon — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Share your feedback by 11:55pm on 30 October - The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has launched a survey to gather your views on the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, and to better understand energy needs. Responses to this questionnaire will help inform and shape the review

Coal power station in Yorkshire to be transformed into green energy hub

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 11:16:39 +0100

Charge up your business with NFU Energy

Claire Hartry — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 13:39:55 +0100

EV car sales rose by 186% in 2020, with EVs enjoying new sales records each year since pre-Covid-19 levels. If you are looking for a charging solution for your business, NFU Energy offers a whole host of different solutions, whether you are looking for a personal

What do we mean by ‘Audits’?

Claire Hartry — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 15:52:11 +0100

An audit is how an official agency (the Environment Agency in the case of ESOS) collects data to inspect a business’s actions. This is not the case in an NFU Energy audit. We carry these out solely for the use of the individual or business. To give a benchmark and key steps in how to cut costs

Off-grid energy bills: Rural cheesemaker's fear over £40k oil and gas bill

Claire Hartry — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 09:08:05 +0100

What is the Renewable Fuel Transport Obligation (RTFO)?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 09:15:26 +0100

Following on from last Month’s British Farmer and Grower article on the Green Gas Support Scheme, Project Engineer and expert, James Wayman explains another government incentive for AD plants where biogas is enriched to produce biomethane to be injected into the national gas grid. What is the

Solar Generation – Are you thinking of switching from a deemed export tariff onto a PPA?

Candace Robb — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 10:42:41 +0100

If you have a solar installation which receives Feed in Tariff (FiT) payments, and you currently receive payments for export (without an export meter installed at your site) referred to on your bill as ‘deemed’ export payments - please read on... By Candace Robb and Max Knowles Right now

NFU Live: Energy, costs and prices featuring NFU President Minette Batters

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Join us for our member-exclusive NFU Live session on the 5 October at 11:00am where our expert panel will be discussing energy, costs and how what's happening now will influence the future. Following the announcement of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the panel will look at the politics, short

Changing your RHI system

Thomas Wilkins — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 11:13:54 +0100

Back in 2018, a very positive and significant change to the RHI regulations was brought in which meant that RHI participants could replace accredited heating systems such as boilers, engines and heat pumps so long as they retain the same technology category. This is great for participants that have

Further announcements for Government support for business energy prices

Claire Hartry — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 16:49:32 +0100

Following Liz Truss’ initial energy support announcement on 08 September 2022, the government has now given further detail on how support will be provided. ***UPDATED 1 NOVEMBER 2022 Any intermediary in England, Wales, Scotland that will or has been provided support from the Energy Price

Energy support statement

Claire Hartry — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 12:55:09 +0100

The long-awaited Government support package for businesses announced last Thursday, which preceded the terribly sad news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, sees us without key details about how businesses are to be supported. Parliament has been in recess meaning further detail about the

What is the GGSS?

Anonymous — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 10:00:37 +0100

The Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) takes government support for net zero up a level and picks up from where the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme for biomethane left off. It encourages renewable generators to inject directly into our national gas grid to help tackle one of the biggest barriers

SSE’s Bhlaraidh Extension wind farm given green light

Jenny Beynon — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:54:40 +0100

Balancing sustainable food production and energy security

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Balancing sustainable food production and energy security takes centre stage at Low Carbon Agriculture Show 2023 The next Low Carbon Agriculture Show will take place on 7 - 8 February 2023 at the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre (NAEC), Stoneleigh, to help farmers and landowners to rise

How healthy is your RHI accreditation?

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 09:28:01 +0100

Ofgem has started to increase the number of Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) audits and you may be surprised at how easy it is to fail an audit. We have had a number of people asking for help with non-compliances following an audit. This can delay payments or potentially move accreditation dates. The

NFU Members... are you interested in renewables?

Claire Hartry — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 12:05:51 +0100

NFU Energy is running a Webinar for NFU Members to answer some of the most burning questions about installing renewables. There is an obvious nervousness and risk associated in finding trustworthy and reputable suppliers and installers in an industry which may not be a farmer’s specialty.

DIY Biomass Crops Consultancy – Help us test the EnviroCrops App

Claire Hartry — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 11:16:30 +0100

NFU Energy is delighted to announce its involvement in a consortium that is building a web app to assist farmers, land managers and consultants to make an informed decision about planting biomass crops such as Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow, miscanthus, hemp and Short Rotation Forestry (SRF)

New and replacement faulty electricity meters experiencing delays

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 11:00:39 +0100

With challenges in the production of certain types of electricity meters due to global supply chain disruption, there are delays being felt across the board with meter installations, smart meter fittings and the replacement of faulty meters. Following Covid-19, manufacturers are playing catch-up

Funding approved for the EnviroCrops app – a decision support tool for the biomass sector

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 11:00:39 +0100

We are delighted to announce that the EnviroCrops web app project has been awarded £1.57 million of funding from BEIS through the Biomass Feedstocks Innovation (BFI) Programme. The project is led by the Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) with support from two energy in agriculture

Less than four weeks to ensure that your electricity generation is compliant

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 11:00:39 +0100

If you operate electricity generation on your farm or estate, then you must ensure that it is compliant with new Distribution Code regulations that come into effect on 1 September 2022. That means that you now have less than four weeks to check your systems, ensure that they are compliant and

Dairy Lighting Technology Review For AHDB Dairy

Claire Hartry — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 11:00:39 +0100

An introduction to light system management for the UK dairy farms including emerging lighting technologies, the benefits of Long Day Photoperiod (LDPP) and farmer case studies... The GrowSave programme’s Dairy Sector work aims to identify and publicise the latest technologies that can help dairy

UK generation mix moves increasingly toward renewables

Jenny Beynon — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 13:55:18 +0100

Are you audit ready?

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:49:30 +0100

We have seen participants of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme are having their payments put on hold for over 12 months while they provide Ofgem with evidence to resolve non-compliances. Is your system and are your records ready for an audit? Over the last few years that we have

SECR and ESOS… the same but different!

Claire Hartry — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) focuses on a company's consumption and emissions, whereas the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) also examines energy use showing ways to make energy savings. There is value in both, which is why we roll them into one. At NFU Energy, we

Meeting our SME electricity contracts team

Joshua Robinson — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 11:00:39 +0100

With continued volatility in the energy market the NFU Energy team have been inundated with more calls and queries than ever before. We have experienced a 6-fold increase in calls coupled with an increase in the average call time as members have required a more detailed explanation of the

Standard Rule, Part B and MCPD – Do you need to Surrender?

Sophie Archer — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 09:21:47 +0100

Do you have a boiler that was installed before December 2018 that is operated under a Part B permit with your Local Authority? Is it larger than 5 MWth input? If so, there are critical regulation changes you need to know. Part B permits are required for the operation of waste wood plants

Can installing solar panels help me avoid rising energy prices?

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Time is running out to ensure your generation is compliant

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 09:26:17 +0100

If you own or operate electricity generation on your land, then it is your responsibility to ensure that you are compliant with the Distribution Code – these are the rules that you must comply with to connect to the electricity network. Changes to the Distribution Code come into effect on 1

Energy Efficiency: Are you on track for reaching Net Zero?

Claire Hartry — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 11:00:39 +0100

NFU Energy has extensive experience in compliance and auditing... Getting a handle on your energy use and carbon emissions can be useful to help you benchmark, make improvements and keep tabs for internal reporting on both money and carbon spend. Having a robust energy audit forms part of your

What is the UK ETS and am I liable?

Claire Hartry — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 11:00:39 +0100

As part of the global push to net zero, the UK ETS (formerly EU ETS) is used by Government to watch over heavy energy using industries and bring emissions levels down. The UK ETS gives each sector an allotted amount of ‘carbon spend’ ensuring high energy users have a fair share of

Volume tolerances in your energy contracts

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Given the current volatility in the energy market it is more important than ever to consider the volume tolerance in your fixed energy contract. In years gone by this was a clause only acted on by energy suppliers on rare occasions. With the energy market being so volatile, it is likely that energy

Reducing energy and input costs – regional roadshows

NFU — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 13:25:10 +0100

The NFU and NFU Energy are running a series of roadshows looking at opportunities to reduce energy and input costs. You'll get practical guidance on improving resilience and sustainability in uncertain times. You will hear from both NFU experts on the latest best practice and from NFU members

Managing your energy compliance and legality

Claire Hartry — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 11:00:39 +0100

In this blog we introduce Dr Sophie Archer, our secret weapon when it comes to all kinds of permitting. Let's hear how she helps our customers through the very confusing world of environmental permitting. In simple terms, what do you do? I help generators of their own heat and power

Meet Hollie and Gemma…

Claire Hartry — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Our team has grown again in May, and we would like to introduce you to our two new members of staff. Hollie joins our dedicated Contracts team and Gemma joins our Service Delivery team. Gemma Riley – Customer Service Coordinator Gemma joins us as a Customer Service Coordinator. She has a

What to Consider – Feasibility of Batteries

Eirinn Rusbridge — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 14:26:36 +0100

With energy prices at an all time high, battery energy storage is becoming increasingly attractive. There are clever ways to store energy to sell when the price is right, or to use it yourself at heavier energy demand times to offset reliance on the grid. Battery systems are

Energy crisis breakthrough: UK makes ‘exciting development' in quest for clean hydrogen

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Power Purchase Agreements

Claire Hartry — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 11:16:39 +0100

Thinking of renewables? As well as the installation itself, if your renewable system generates more energy than you use, a mains protection relay, export meter and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) could be all that stands between you and generating a new and potentially lucrative source of income

Managing your farm’s energy

Claire Hartry — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 10:50:21 +0100

We understand how hard the job of a farmer is. Having an Energy Manager onboard can take away the headache of selling and buying energy, compliance and permits, feasibility and energy strategy. There are many elements we cover and we have a department of specialists here for any farm

Are you ready for ESOS Phase 3?

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 31 May 2022 11:00:39 +0100

If you have more than 250 UK employees or an annual turnover exceeding €50 million and a balance sheet total exceeding €43 million it is time to start planning how you will comply with the Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) regulations. Fines for non-compliance can be up to £90,000. What

Return of the buying group

Joshua Robinson — Thu, 26 May 2022 13:37:22 +0100

The volatility in the energy market has forced us all to place much more consideration on the ways in which we look at electricity. NFU Energy paused its buying groups at the end of last year with suppliers unwilling to commit to prices for more than a few days and, at times, there being no

Upcoming MCPD regulatory updates – New plants, have you prepared? Existing plants, are you ready?

Sophie Archer — Tue, 24 May 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Have you spoken to an energy manager, had an energy audit, or conducted a feasibility study regarding a new installation on your site? Or perhaps you have already decided to install a new combustion plant for generating heat and/or power onsite? Whilst you might be excited about this business

Norway turns its back on gas and oil to become a renewable superpower

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 19 May 2022 10:16:12 +0100

Reports of scam phone calls claiming to be the NFU

Claire Hartry — Mon, 16 May 2022 09:56:52 +0100

The NFU has received reports from members who have been the target of scam phone calls from energy companies purporting to be NFU Energy. These companies have no relation to the NFU or NFU Energy and should be ignored. NFU Energy will only ever contact you to follow up an email or a planned

Sign up today for our free market and industry updates

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 12 May 2022 11:00:39 +0100

With the energy market being so volatile, keeping up with what’s happening and the best times to make decisions about your energy has become even more important. Our free energy update services can help you with regular information about both the energy market and industry news to support you

Meet Tammie and Lizzie…

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 10 May 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Our team has grown again in April, and we would like to introduce you to our two new members of staff who have joined the Sales and Marketing Team. Tammie Varani – Business Development Executive Tammie has over 20 years’ experience within the industrial and commercial business sector for the

NFU Energy Audits – thinking sustainably

Claire Hartry — Thu, 05 May 2022 11:00:39 +0100

What is climate friendly food? Food that does not use too many inputs compared to its output? A short supply chain? Thoughtful farm processes? Church Farm Dairy, supplier of Wyke Farms (producing cheddar since 1861, and the biggest independent cheese producer in the UK), has been given its most

NFU Energy out on the road

Claire Hartry — Tue, 03 May 2022 11:00:39 +0100

We are attending the following events this Spring/Summer. If you happen to be at any please be sure to come along and say hello to us; EnZero event for NFU Cymru 04 May 2022 Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells LD2 3SY The British Pig & Poultry Fair 10 May 2022

What is Authorised Supply Capacity?

Candace Robb — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Authorised Supply Capacity (ASC) is the amount of agreed electricity from the grid that is reserved for your use at any time. It is measured in kVA and appears on your bill as a Capacity Charge. Put simply, you rent this capacity and pay for every kVA that you are allocated on a

How market volatility in March impacted prices

Claire Hartry — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 11:00:00 +0100

With the added impact of sanctions, the Russian Rouble fell to even further lows in March since the initial crash on the 24th February when Russia declared war. With sanctions mounting throughout the month - and global Governments looking for alternative sources

NFU Energy is delighted to announce a strategic partnership with Energy Now

Claire Hartry — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 13:37:45 +0100

Energy Now has been providing farmers and landowners with independent information and guidance on renewables and low-carbon solutions / opportunities since 2007. The popular magazine, converted to a website in 2020, features topical & informative content including news & developments from

Our team is growing…

Claire Hartry — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 11:00:39 +0100

There have been two sides to the energy crisis here at NFU Energy. On the one hand, we have calls from farmers, growers and businesses concerned about the astronomical prices they are being quoted for contracts after advice about when might be right to sign but on the other, we have hundreds of

Giant undersea cables set to give the UK and Germany their first direct energy link

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Do you have permission?

Claire Hartry — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 11:00:39 +0100

How do you make sure that you are environmentally compliant? Our team sees everything from the initial planning, through all stages of projects and commissioning lifecycles. Accreditation to the Renewable Heat Incentive and Green Gas Support Scheme, as granted by Ofgem, require specific permits and

The future of growing without gas

Mike Bond — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 10:38:48 +0100

Jon Swain and Mike Bond embarked on a UK tour and two overseas site visits for the Innovate Waste Heat To Fruit & Veg project, also closely linked to AHDB GrowSave activity. We are looking at the future of growing without gas, and alternative sources for the necessary heat and CO2. The UK

If you have a G59 relay, don’t leave it too late to upgrade

Nick Spencer — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 11:00:39 +0100

April 2022 UPDATE - The last funding window will close on 10 May 2022. If you think you have a G59 relay and haven't made the necessary changes, or aren’t sure then get in touch. If your generator is already compliant then you now must declare this as soon as possible through a

NFU Energy management strategists can help you

Ben Ablewhite — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 11:00:39 +0100

Are you a large energy user spending too much time, energy and money on finding the best contract? Not sure whether to lock in a price now or wait to see if prices come down? You are not alone! Flexible procurement or ‘flex’ enables you to lock in prices for some or all of your energy at a time

Reducing the UK’s dependence on Russian oil and gas

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 11:00:39 +0100

The war in Ukraine has sparked a renewed focus on energy security and, in particular, a desire to reduce the UK’s dependence on Russian oil and gas. As a consequence, the government is developing a new Energy Security Strategy which is due to be published imminently. The strategy is expected to

Gazprom's UK supply arm faces special administration

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 11:49:03 +0000

How is NFU Energy dealing with the energy crisis?

Jodie Hisgett — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:33:24 +0000

As the war in Ukraine deepens our thoughts are with those living with its devastating effects. Here in the UK, we face a different kind of crisis with the ripple effects of what’s happening being felt in our energy market, and throughout the rest of Europe. Our farmers and

Outsourcing Energy Management – what are the benefits?

Claire Hartry — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:00:39 +0000

NFU Energy’s Account Managed service provides access to a team of industry experts that can take care of all your energy requirements within one package. Perhaps you have single site with a complex energy infrastructure, or you have multiple sites with a group of import contracts to manage?

Hartpury argi-tech Webinar: Renewable Energy Systems - What Are My Options?

Claire Hartry — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 10:16:39 +0000

Bruno Gardner, Managing Director at NFU EnZero, joins a webinar hosted by Hartbury agricultural college discussing the latest renewables technologies and solutions on farm, on Wednesday 16th March. Areas of discussion: Renewable Energy Systems – The Types and Technology Farm Business

NFU Energy and District Eating: Call for participants

Mike Bond — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 10:00:39 +0000

NFU Energy and District Eating partner on part Innovate UK funded project which aims to reduce CO2 emissions by enabling growers to access stable and lower-cost heat. The project, now in its second month, is in the contact gathering stage. Please, get in touch now to benefit from the work (

See us at Low Carbon Agriculture

Claire Hartry — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 10:00:39 +0000

NFU Energy looks forward to welcoming visitors to Stand #316 at the Low Carbon Agriculture show next week. Energy prices are still three times more than what we would expect and that’s why it’s important that you come and talk to us about how we can save you money and carbon at the show. Talks

Europe to accelerate emergency grid link with Ukraine - Energy Live News

Claire Hartry — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 10:00:39 +0000

How will Ofgem’s Targeted Charging Review effect you?

Ben Ablewhite — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 10:16:39 +0000

We used to say that about only 50% of your electricity bill was paying for the electricity itself. The rest covered the cost of moving the electricity around, paying for the management of the grid and green taxes. High prices for the commodity have changed and with it, the balance. Over the

Attention agricultural energy users, especially Pigs, Poultry and Horticulture sectors

Jon Swain — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 12:10:28 +0000

The Government is consulting on the continuation of the Climate Change Agreements scheme... Background The Climate Change Agreements (CCA) scheme, first established in 2001, serves the dual purpose of making energy and carbon savings through energy efficiency targets, whilst also helping to

Introducing our new EV vehicle feasibility service

Claire Hartry — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 15:06:46 +0000

If you are thinking about making the switch to electric vehicles but aren't sure or need to present a full business case, it might be worth having us crunch the numbers to see if it's right. We will identify whether light transport and handling equipment is suitable for swapping to electric

Farmers facing substantially higher energy input costs this year

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 09:30:26 +0000

Like the rest of the UK economy, farmers are facing substantially higher energy input costs this year - but is there really a shortage of fossil fuel gas? It was announced in early February that typical domestic energy bills are likely to jump by more than 50% this year, due to the raising of

ESOS Phase 3 is upon us

Claire Hartry — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 09:51:36 +0000

The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is compulsory for those businesses who: Employ 250 people or more; OR, have a turnover of at least €50m AND a balance sheet > €43m (Euros not £); Or both the above. The Scheme is now in the period in which energy data is valid

Low Carbon Agriculture 2022 - 8 - 9 March 2022 | NAEC, Stoneleigh

Claire Hartry — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 15:23:51 +0000

Low Carbon Agriculture is the business event for forward thinking farmers and landowners looking to help address climate change through the generation of renewable energy, the implementation of low carbon technologies and best practice in both environmental and carbon management. The event

Non Domestic RHI deadline extensions confirmed for delayed projects

Claire Hartry — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 15:02:04 +0000

REA ANNOUNCEMENT: 'Following conversations between BEIS and the REA, along with submissions of evidence from ourselves and other stakeholders, concerning projects facing delays to their commissioning deadlines due to COVID, BEIS have confirmed they will put in place a 12-month extension to the

'Biggest ever' renewable energy support scheme opens – Low Carbon Agriculture 2022

Claire Hartry — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 12:00:29 +0000

NFU Energy MEMBER EVENT - 25 January 2022

Claire Hartry — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 08:58:26 +0000

Interested in learning how to maximise your chances of successfully developing a renewable energy scheme on your land and the income you earn from it? Join our webinar on Tuesday 25 January at 1pm to find out more. What we will cover: Top tips for successfully developing renewable energy

Your views needed on phasing out rural fossil fuel heating

Claire Hartry — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The consultation is underway, and closes on Wednesday 12 January. As one of the first steps in the implementation of its Heat and Buildings Strategy, the government is consulting on phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in businesses and public buildings (as

New entrant window for Climate Change Levy (CCL) scheme opened up for very limited period

Claire Hartry — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:47:18 +0000

The Government has announced the new window for applications is now open till 31 March 2022*. Gas users in the scheme will see a 22% increase in their allowances this year amounting to a discount of 86% and Imported Electricity users will continue to see discounts of 92% on the

NFU Energy and District Eating partner on ‘matchmaking’ project

Claire Hartry — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 16:51:52 +0000

NFU Energy and District Eating are announcing their part Innovate UK funded project which aims to reduce CO2 emissions by enabling growers to access stable and lower-cost heat. The project will run for 14 months and assess the economic, environmental, and social opportunities associated with

Our Christmas Opening Hours and Season's Greetings to You

Claire Hartry — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 08:46:27 +0000

From everybody here at NFU Energy, we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It has been another strange year for us all but as ever, it has been great to help our customers with all their business energy needs and we'd like to take

2021: A round up of the year in Energy

Ben Ablewhite — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 15:25:39 +0000

Let’s be positive: 2021 was a brilliant year to have been generating your own energy. To recap, this time last year prices had risen from historic lows to ‘normal’ levels, then started to rise through December 2020 as we headed towards Brexit with a good deal of uncertainty remaining. Brexit

NFU Energy announces partnership with Captrics

Claire Hartry — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 14:51:41 +0000

NFU Energy are delighted to announce new partnership with innovative contract management and invoice validation software provider Captrics. NFU Energy will benefit from Captrics' cloud-based solution for the management of their members' electricity and gas contracts. The service will

UK Government considers extension to non-domestic renewable heat incentive - Energy Now

Claire Hartry — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 11:40:54 +0000

Reduce energy costs for winter

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 11:53:25 +0000

With temperatures dropping and daylight hours reducing, now is a good time to assess things and ensure efficient energy use on-farm over the winter. Energy waste can be relentless in the background and you might only realise what you have wasted when the energy bill hits your desk. We pay

NFU Energy announces partnership with InstaVolt

Claire Hartry — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 12:13:41 +0000

NFU Energy has announced its partnership with the rapid charging network, InstaVolt. This partnership sees InstaVolt named as NFU Energy’s new rapid charging provider collaborating on projects to aid the UK in its transition to decarbonisation. The aim is to support the agricultural sector

Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) – RHI Biomethane but in a different guise

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 13:28:19 +0000

25TH November 2021 UPDATE - The GGSS is expected to open for applications on 30th November 2021 and remain open until 30th November 2025. BEIS have set a target of achieving 20 TWh/year from biomethane by 2030. Taking into account operational biomethane plants already receiving RHI

NFU Energy out on the road (to net zero)

Claire Hartry — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 15:06:49 +0000

We are attending both of these events this week - if you happen to be at either please come along and say 'Hi!' EMEX - Net Zero Conference and Energy Management Exhibition | ExCeL - London | 24 and 25 November 2021 Solar & Storage Live - Empowering the UK energy transition |

Biomass Policy in our Net Zero future

Jon Swain — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 15:13:54 +0000

COP 26 has precipitated a number of government publications setting out strategies for our Net Zero future. One of these has been a Biomass Policy Statement which has been long awaited by many in the energy sector. Having taken some time to read this in the last couple of days it’s worth reflecting

Announcing our new service – Renewable Energy Solutions

Claire Hartry — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 16:24:23 +0000

With COP26 underway the focus on climate change and sustainability has never been greater. In parallel to this energy prices are continuing to rise, the cost of renewable energy technologies continues to fall and farmers and business owners are under ever-increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse

REA and NFU present: Delivering a Decarbonised Agriculture Sector – a COP 26 Fringe Panel Discussion

Amanda Cardall — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 09:07:11 +0100

Time: 13.30 – 15.00 , Wednesday 10th November Location: 200 St Vincent Street, Glasgow (15-20 minutes walk from the Main COP 26 Venue) The IPCC's Special Report on Climate Change and Land (2019) estimates that agriculture is directly responsible for up to 8.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions

Share your views and make a difference - volunteer to test an app

Claire Hartry — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 12:12:23 +0100

Your feedback will help us develop an innovative tool to help upscale perennial energy crops deployment in the UK. The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through their Bioenergy Feedstocks Innovation Competition are funding a feasibility study into the development

Tackling the ‘Moothane’ problem – cutting greenhouse gas from livestock

Claire Hartry — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 11:23:51 +0100

The methane released by animals such as cows accounts for about 50 percent of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and represents a major barrier for the farming sector to meet net zero targets. Methane, released when livestock belch and pass wind, traps heat about 30 times more than

Energy Crisis 2021 - Higher prices all round?

Claire Hartry — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 12:47:41 +0100

Energy prices are continuing to rise and this trend has barely reversed throughout the whole of 2021. Whilst it is impossible to say how long the crisis will last, it is certainly fair to say that prices will stay at a sustained high level for some time to come. Put into numbers – gas

What to Consider – Natural Gas CHP Feasibility

Eirinn Rusbridge — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 09:36:22 +0100

Natural gas Combined Heat and Power (CHP) has long been an attractive option for sites with a combination heat, electricity, and CO2 demand. The systems combine the use of a heat engine or power station to generate electricity and useful heat at the same time. Cogeneration is a more efficient use

European Energy acquires 85.8MW of renewable assets from Vattenfall

Claire Hartry — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 09:16:37 +0100

What to Consider – Heat Pump Feasibility

Eirinn Rusbridge — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 13:48:53 +0100

Towards the end of the RHI ground source heat pumps rose in popularity bringing cost advantages to economies of scale. Capital costs can still be prohibitive for smaller installations but are expected to decrease as the technology becomes more commonplace. Traditionally, the high Coefficient of

NFU Energy's guide to Anaerobic Digestion (AD)

Elisa Evans — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 09:51:13 +0100

Renewable technologies are increasing in popularity due to their cost saving benefits and low maintenance costs, but also the ‘green energy’ they produce, which is vital in helping to achieve the NFU’s Net Zero target of 2040. There are different renewable technologies available to install both on

What to Consider – Solar PV Feasibility

Eirinn Rusbridge — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 15:53:33 +0100

Even though there are no direct incentive schemes for installations out right now, solar PV has an increasingly important place in the renewable energy space when placed in the context of global energy prices and the road to Net Zero. There are two main strategies which must be considered to get

Why energy efficiency is not boring

Roger Stones — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 12:28:58 +0100

Energy efficiency is not boring because it’s one of the cheapest ways to save energy and protect you from ‘spending money that wastes money’ – this term is explained further below. Solar panels on the roof and the latest LED technology are visible evidence of our energy saving efforts while Energy

Key UK Power Unit fire causes Energy Prices to worsen

Candace Robb — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 14:25:51 +0100

Power prices at all time high following serious fire at Sellindge interconnector site in Kent, UK Yesterday’s fire at the key UK power converter station used to import power from France knocked out two thirds of power received through it (2GW). Great Britain (being a net importer) has 6GW

What does ‘Agrovoltaics’ mean to you?

Jon Swain — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 10:32:08 +0100

Recently there has been discussion of a concept called Agrovoltaics, a new buzzword to add to the pile that epitomises the world of renewable energy. In short this is becoming to mean integrating solar photovoltaics with agriculture, in as many varied and innovative forms as possible. Why this is

Keep compliant with our new RHI HealthCheck-Lite

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Introducing our latest Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) HealthCheck designed to help you meet your obligations and pass an audit, with no immediate site visit required. Getting accredited onto the RHI scheme is just the start. Once you’re up and running, you have 20 years of compliance ahead of

Tariff Guarantee and Extension Applications update

Nick Spencer — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 15:17:35 +0100

Have you secured a Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Tariff Guarantee or Extension Application? If so, you have until the end of March 2022 to have your heating system installed and commissioned, and your RHI application submitted to Ofgem. The RHI has closed to new applicants, so

Tales from site – RHI HealthCheck – Drying

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 14:20:26 +0100

NFU Energy conduct Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Audits (i.e 'HealthChecks') to ensure participants are keeping up with their ongoing obligations and to advise on improvements. Over the last few years one of the areas Ofgem audits have focused on is drying floors and evidencing that

Targeted Charging Review (TCR)

Candace Robb — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 09:56:42 +0100

The Targeted Charging Review (TCR) by Ofgem has been assessing how residual network charges should be set and recovered in Great Britain as the energy network continues to evolve. The key driver of the review is the changing role of energy networks. For those NFU Members that

Agri-feedstock and clamp management day (virtual): 08th September 2021

Claire Hartry — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 11:09:16 +0100

On Wednesday 8th September ADBA are hosting an Agri-feedstock and clamp management Training Day (virtual) for those involved in farm AD plants. The day is made up of a number of speakers covering different topics such as the silaging basics and monitoring quality for AD plants. There are

Have you considered investing in Electric Vehicle charging points for your workplace sites?

Claire Hartry — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 15:03:20 +0100

If the answer is yes then the team at NFU Energy are here to help. NFU Energy can help you source the installation and maintenance partner right for you is now set-up to offer installation and maintenance of Electric Vehicle charger points on your farm/ site. 

Would an Online Only Contract be of benefit to me?

Joshua Robinson — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 10:33:23 +0100

With energy prices rising at an exponential rate, shopping around is more important than ever. In these challenging times energy suppliers are having to really push themselves to think outside the box to offer more competitive prices on to Customers. In a world that is rapidly

Using waste wood in your biomass boiler

Sophie Archer — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 08:59:59 +0100

For many, burning recycled waste wood is a great choice, as it is a low cost and readily available biomass fuel. However, it’s important to make sure you’re properly permitted before you even take delivery. There are three grades of waste wood: A, C (which now includes B) and D. These grades,

UK Green Gas Day 2021: 09 September 2021

Jon Swain — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 13:58:27 +0100

Green Gas Day, the largest annual biomethane industry gathering, has been run by the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) and CNG Services over the past nine years. This year, Green Gas Day 2021, taking place 0930-1500 on Thursday 9 September in the West Midlands (National

Energy Audits can save you money

Roger Stones — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 13:03:18 +0100

Energy audits save you money because they show how you spend money on energy and where you waste money on energy. In fact, it’s very seldom seen that a first-time energy audit does not show at least about 10% savings potential. What type of audit? Because energy audits vary according to size

5 MW thermal input systems – let’s get down to permits

Sophie Archer — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 15:14:37 +0100

The 01 January 2024 deadline for existing 5 MWth combustion plants to be permitted by may seem far away, but, in reality, permits are taking at least 12 months with current Environment Agency (EA) queues. Once the influx of applications starts in 2023, this lead time risks being even longer! Here

No longer feeling the heat?

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 11:00:00 +0100

If you don’t know how healthy your RHI accreditation is, perhaps it’s time for an audit… During the lifetime of any Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) installation, there is a chance of an OFGEM audit. This audit will be checking to ensure your system is still compliant and non-compliances can

NFU Energy's guide to Carbon reporting

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Make sure you are RHI complaint

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0100

The RHI scheme has now closed to new applicants, however it is easy to sit back and relax thinking the job is done. If you’re an NFU Energy account managed customer then that is likely the case, but for those undertaking the day-to-day management of the RHI have a considerable amount to do to stay compliant.

What is the Climate Change Levy?

Jon Swain — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0100

The Climate Change Levy (CCL) is a tax charged on the electricity, gas, LPG, and coal used by businesses in the UK. However, some businesses that are in energy intensive sectors are able to apply for a discount. This discount is given in return for achieving agreed energy saving targets.

Permits for RHI Extension and Tariff Guarantee Applications

Sophie Archer — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 14:16:40 +0100

Have you been approved for an RHI extension? Or maybe you are still waiting for your Tariff Guarantee Stage 2 to be approved? Both have completion deadlines of 31 March 2022, but do you have your permit prepared? If you are installing combustion plants over 1 MWth, or operating on waste wood,

How to get the best deal for selling the electricity you generate

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0100

You will need a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to sell your power to the grid. Using your current import electricity supplier for this type of contract rarely gets you the best price for the electricity you have to sell; you are more likely to get higher payments by shopping around. We carry out

NFU Energy Account Managers: Elisa

Elisa Evans — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0100

I’m into my 8th year with the company having transitioned from domestic to commercial energy. I like to think of this as the difference between fast food and fine dining. I’m a Client Service Co-ordinator and account manage a portfolio of renewable energy clients who primarily operate anaerobic

Practical steps to improve refrigeration efficiency

Jon Swain — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0100

There’s a common misconception that there’s little you can do to improve the efficiency of your refrigeration system. Many think you simply install it and run it and that it performs in a set or given way over time, with little difference between one system and the next. But refrigeration

NFU Energy's guide to Heat Pumps

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0100

A heat pump is a device that takes low temperature (low grade heat) and upgrades it to higher temperature (high grade heat). They work essentially by acting like a fridge or freezer but in reverse. With a fridge the inside is cold and the outside is warm, we want the inside of the building to be warm and the outside to be cold.

Complex compliance at Vitacress

Steven Jackson — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0100

The Vitacress Group are leading growers and packers of salads and speciality vegetables. We completed the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) registration and return for Vitacress over their 20 sites with a combined total of 41 metering points, and included sites participating in the United Kingdom Emission Trading Scheme (UKETS) and Climate Change Agreements (CCAs).

Don’t get caught out by ESOS

Mike Bond — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0100

If you have more than 250 UK employees or an annual turnover exceeding £50 million and a balance sheet total exceeding £43 million it is time to start planning how you will comply with the Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) regulations. Fines for non-compliance can be up to £90,000. Does

Understanding Half Hourly Meters

Candace Robb — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0100

What is a Half Hourly meter? Half Hourly meters are billed on the Half Hourly data that is recorded by the meter. Every Half an Hour the meter records your consumption which is collated by a Data Collector which is then sent to your energy supplier. This data can be requested from your

Flue testing ports: what installers need to know

Sophie Archer — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +0100

Are you an installer of combustion plants? Do your products range over 1MWth input? You may not be aware, but new Medium Combustion Plants (MCPs) require EA Monitoring Certification Scheme (MCERT) accredited ports to be installed for emission testing under Environmental Permit Regulations (EPR). We

Why are energy prices still rising?

Joshua Robinson — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0100

In the last 12 months the energy market has fluctuated by as much a 3.5p/kwh or 30-40%. Why has this happened and what is the best thing to do with my up-and-coming renewal? COVID-19 has impacted pretty much everything over the last 18 months and energy bills have been heavily impacted by

Closure of Regulatory Position Statements to new combustion plant permit applicants

Sophie Archer — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 10:30:00 +0100

Back in December 2020, we updated you regarding the Environment Agency’s new Regulatory Position Statement (RPS): RPS 243 and RPS 244. These were available to new Medium Combustion Plant (MCP) or Specified Generator (SG) bespoke environmental permit applicants from 02 October 2020 to 30 June 2021

Outsourced Energy Solution

Steven Jackson — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0100

With a rapidly changing market and varied landscape of incentives, how can you ensure your business is staying compliant, making the most of your energy assets and savings costs? NFU Energy’s Account Managed service provides you with access to a team of industry experts that can take care of all

Festival Net Zero

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0100

As part of the Future Net Zero initiative by energylivenews.com, Festival Net Zero takes place 22 June both online, and in person. Held at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, you can meet people face to face, listen to great thought leadership, learn from your peers and network in a secure environment

Halogen light sources face September ban

Mike Bond — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Be warned – yet more familiar lamp types will begin to disappear from September. In the last few years, the majority of traditional light sources have faced increasing competition from LED alternatives, which offer impressive energy savings and extended lifespans. Their cost may be higher and

Degree Days

Ed Hardy — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Depending on where in the country you live, you may have noticed an increase in your heat usage this past winter compared to the one before. Using data from degreedays.net for ‘heating degree days’ (HDD), a quick comparison between 2019-20 and 2020-21 gives an insight as to why that might be the case.

Time to consider your ESOS Energy Audit

Mike Bond — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0100

A piece of legislation the Government has introduced to help the UK to reach this target is the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS). Compliance with ESOS is a mandatory requirement for companies with: At least 250 employees or a turnover of €50m and a balance sheet of €36m Every 4

NFU Energy's guide to Wind Energy

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Tales of Site Visits: HealthChecks

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0100

With the RHI scheme closed to new participants, we are being asked to complete an increasing number of RHI HealthChecks. These are for all system types and sizes e.g. Biomass, Heat Pump, Biogas etc. There will be a renewed focus on Audits now new applications have ceased and NFU Energy is

EU approves €22.5bn Polish scheme to support offshore wind farms

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Be committed to 100% renewable energy

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 27 May 2021 11:00:00 +0100

NFU Energy are committed to providing resources and expert guidance on renewable energy for NFU members and businesses alike and are helping to reach the NFU’s target of reaching Net Zero by 2040. Whilst there are many challenges to reaching Net Zero by 2040, as energy consultants, we firmly

Regulator site audits – are you compliant?

Sophie Archer — Tue, 25 May 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Do you have an RHI, FiT, or ROC accreditation? Are you a recognised supplier of biomass fuels on the Biomass Suppliers List (BSL) or the Sustainable Fuel Register (SFR)? Or do you operate an Anaerobic Digester that provides biomethane or exports electricity to the national grids? If so, you may be subject to an audit from any of a number of regulators and governmental bodies – but fear not, NFU Energy are here to help!

Permit Tips for Combustion Plant Installers

Sophie Archer — Thu, 20 May 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Does your company distribute and install industrial combustion boilers and engines? Are they over 1 MWth input? You may not be aware that new plants of this size and over need to comply with the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) through the Environment Agency (EA), even if you are replacing an existing plant.

Carbon tax and/or trading scheme – Opportunity or threat?

Jon Swain — Tue, 18 May 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Over the last few months there has been discussion about whether the UK would introduce a Carbon Tax or Emissions Trading Scheme (or both) to help drive down our emissions. Ultimately the government decided that an almost (excuse the pun) carbon copy of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme was the best, most straightforward immediate action and the idea of a Carbon Tax has, for the moment, been shelved.

Are you compliance ready?

Sophie Archer — Thu, 13 May 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Combustion plants over 1 MWth input and up to 50MWth input need to comply with the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) through the Environment Agency (EA). The EA regulate the operation of combustion plants and monitor plant emissions to prevent environmental impacts on the local area. Biomass

Pole movements: What you need to know

Thomas Ovenden — Tue, 11 May 2021 11:00:00 +0100

If you have electricity poles within your land boundary, you may find it getting in the way of progressing home or business expansions. Here is our quick guide to everything you need to know to get a pole moved. Critical first action You need to determine if the pole subject to moving has a

Are you RHI audit ready?

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 06 May 2021 11:00:00 +0100

The RHI scheme has now closed to new applicants, however, it is easy to sit back and relax thinking the job is done. If you’re an NFU Energy account managed customer then that is likely the case, but for those undertaking the day-to-day management of the RHI you may have a considerable amount to do

NFU Energy's guide to solar energy

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 04 May 2021 11:30:00 +0100

Energy Efficiency: The next step to saving money on your energy bills

Mike Bond — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0100

With the closure of the RHI (non-domestic) scheme to new participants on 31 March 2021, major government incentives for generation have come to an end. Where do businesses look next, to save money on their energy and to reduce costs? As subsidised generation is no longer an option, then energy

Great Britain’s pipeline for renewable and battery projects skyrockets to 86GW

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Sustainable Farming Incentive

Ed Hardy — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0100

I recently wrote the following for AHDB GrowSave and it was an interesting thought worth sharing here: At the time of writing, the Government has just launched the ‘expression of interest’ phase of the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, which is due to launch in mid-2022.

Keeping on top of your RHI data submissions

Steven Jackson — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0100

It is important for Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) participants to take and submit regular meter readings to Ofgem correctly and at the right time as they determine how much you will get paid through the scheme. Any incorrect data submissions can result in withheld RHI payments or unsuspected

New for old

Sophie Archer — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Replaced or refurbed your boiler since December 2018? Find out if you require a permit to operate. Is an old inefficient boiler or engine getting your business down? Are you thinking a shiny new plant is well overdue? If this sounds familiar, or you have replaced an existing plant since 20

Feasibility studies: What are they?

Eirinn Rusbridge — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0100

A feasibility study is essentially a high-level analysis of a project to determine whether it’s feasible. For most of our clients that includes the technical, economic, and legislative aspects of the project. Each of those areas can vary in complexity; a balance has to be struck between exploring every minutia and focusing on the broad strokes that have the largest impact on the project.

Environmental compliance requirements for RHI

Sophie Archer — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Did you submit an RHI application for a new boiler by the 31 March 2021 deadline? Was it over 1 MWth input and operating on biomass? Or maybe under 1MWth but operating on waste wood? If you did not know already, you may require an environmental permit for both the operation of the boiler and RHI accreditation.

NFU Energy Podcast

Steven Jackson — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0100

At NFU Energy, we have a team of energy experts who are on hand to assist with any queries you may have regarding your energy imports, exports or projects. We have started our own podcast, where each month we delve into different aspects of buying, generating and using energy. If you are interested in the world of energy, give our podcasts a listen as our experts answer your questions.

The importance of ESOS

Mike Bond — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0100

Over the years, energy efficiency has been the target of incentives and legislation, to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint and help the UK to reach Net Zero by 2050. The NFU aims to get to Net Zero by 2040 and at NFU Energy we are committed to helping NFU members and businesses alike to reach this goal.

Mitsibushi-led consortium awarded grid-link licence for world’s largest wind farm.

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Final Green Gas Support Scheme design released

Elisa Evans — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Announced with very little fanfare yesterday was the outcome of the government’s consultation into the future support for Green Gas, cunningly called the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS). On first glance, and as entirely expected, this looks very much like a continuation of the RHI for Biomethane

Electric car subsidy cut: how harmful is it?

Ben Ablewhite — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

The Government have announced that the £3,000 electric car grant will be slashed to £2,500 and the list price threshold will be reduced with immediate effect in a move that many commentators are pointing out isn’t exactly supportive of our Net Zero ambitions. How much of a problem is it? Well,

The Spring Budget: its impact on Climate Change

Mike Bond — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

I recently wrote the following for AHDB GrowSave and it was an interesting thought worth sharing here: At a time of such fragility for the battered economy, the Spring Budget was always going to be a challenge: could the Chancellor maintain progress on existing issues such as climate change

Half Hourly contracts and what you need to know

Candace Robb — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

We have taken a lot of calls recently from NFU members who are not completely familiar with half hourly (HH) meters and the different types of contracts that you can get. Some members have accepted contracts where they have been quoted an incredibly good unit rate, only to find on their first bill

ADBA 2021 Annual Conference

Elisa Evans — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Catch up here if you missed it. I recently attended the ADBA National Conference on 16/17 February. Due to the pandemic, it took place online featuring a variety of speakers from across the AD industry including Dr Jonathan Scurlock from the NFU. It was impossible to escape the fervency

Is your electricity Authorised Supply Capacity in check?

Joshua Robinson — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Your Authorised Supply Capacity could be one of the biggest unnecessary costs you’re paying for on your electricity bills and you might not even know. Once you have arranged fair supply contracts for your Half Hourly electricity supplies, it’s easy to assume that what you’re paying isn’t costing

Ofgem Open Letter on Regulatory Position Statements

Sophie Archer — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Are you still waiting for an environmental permit for your RHI application? Have you already requested use of a Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) to allow you to operate while you wait? Are you worried about your RHI accreditation procedure in light of EA delays and ever growing permitting queues

Low Carbon Agriculture show online: 09-10 March 2021

Steven Jackson — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Low Carbon Agriculture, transformed this year into an online event that begins at 09:30 on 09 March 2021. The event is all about how our NFU net zero ambition will be delivered, through the generation of renewable energy, the implementation of low carbon technology, and best practice in both carbon

Do you need an Air Quality Assessment?

Sophie Archer — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Are you installing a new combustion plant? Applying for planning permission or an environmental permit for your combustion plant? Do you require an environmental risk assessment? We have seen Regulators moving away from simple D1 Stack Height assessments and increasing the amount of air quality dispersion modelling assessments required for both planning permission and environmental permit applications.

Clean Heat Grant: Now is the time to have your say.

Jon Swain — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

As part of ‘The future support for low carbon heat’ consultation, in April 2020, the Government set out proposals for the Clean Heat Grant. This scheme will provide support for heat pumps, and in targeted circumstances, biomass boilers in both domestic and small non-domestic buildings, through an upfront capital grant.

The Waste Wood Dilemma

Sophie Archer — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Is your wood fuel increasing in price? Are you struggling to get hold of virgin woodchip at a decent price? Well moving to waste wood may be on your mind, but this could be a costly mistake if you don’t comply with the regulations. Waste Wood Compliance If your biomass boiler is not subject

RHI Extension applications

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

After attending the Ofgem extension application workshop last week we know more about what to expect and timeframes. The extension applications, until 31 March 2022, are only available to participants that cannot receive a tariff guarantee, this is for: Biomass <1MWth Biogas

Generators: can EVs help you make the most of your kWh?

Ben Ablewhite — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

From April 2021, ‘embedded generators’ – that covers most on-farm electricity generation – will no longer receive BSUoS payments for electricity exported to the grid, typically reducing export income by about 5%. From April 2022 GDUoS will start to wither away – that’s another 10% - and we’ve

Am I paying the correct amount of VAT and CCL on my energy bill?

Joshua Robinson — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Whilst businesses have to pay VAT and Climate Change Levy (CCL) on their energy costs, certain factors change the amount of VAT and CCL that is charged by the energy supplier. VAT, or value-added tax, is automatically added to gas and electricity tariffs but the rate that is paid fluctuates,

Electric vehicles: is now the time?

Ben Ablewhite — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 17:30:00 +0000

As a bit of a car enthusiast working in the energy industry, I’ve followed the progress of electric cars over the last few years with great interest and a reasonable dose of cynicism. Putting aside the concerns over whether it’s the right technology for the long-term and the true carbon cost of

Energy efficiency: not glamorous but essential

Mike Bond — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

The Climate Change Committee recently announced that by 2035, the UK needs to cut its emissions of carbon dioxide by 78% compared to 1990. Previously a similar target had been set for 2050, so this is a call to halve the time taken. The global effort to reduce emissions has always been a two-

UK holds the ‘highest decarbonisation rate’ in the world for the 21st century so far

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Energy efficiency: The start to reaching net zero

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

The NFU has an aspiration that agriculture in the UK gets to net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040. Whilst there are many challenges, as energy consultants, we firmly believe the pathway to net zero starts with reducing energy requirements and emissions. The NFU outline the

Could you benefit from Solar Energy?

Steven Jackson — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Solar PV was often seen as an ‘instant win’, with owners of solar PV able to generate an income from the government feed in tariff (FIT) scheme, as well as the ongoing benefit that generating their own electricity brings. There is less noise around solar PV, with many thinking that without

What we can do for you

Steven Jackson — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Here at NFU Energy we really are a one stop shop for all things business energy related. We often find our customers come to us for a particular reason but have no idea of all the other services we can offer them. Here is a small selection that might be of benefit to you. Energy Account

New year resolutions are good news for horticulture

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 09:54:38 +0000

Guest blogger Ed Hardy recently wrote the following for AHDB GrowSave and it was an interesting thought worth sharing here: Three weeks into the new year and I wonder how many people have managed to stick to their resolutions… For some, it may be to eat more healthily or reduce their

RHI participants… are you audit ready?

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Recently, we have had several Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) participants inform us of upcoming audit notices from Ofgem, who currently seem to be doing a big push. If non-compliances are found, then this will delay your RHI payments in the best-case scenario and could even result in the

Importance of low carbon heat heralded

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 14:16:03 +0000

Delivering certainty: Low Carbon Agriculture show goes digital for 2021 event

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Low Carbon Agriculture show, the new event showcasing opportunities in low carbon energy, technological advances and Environmental Land Management (ELM), for a profitable and sustainable future in farming, has announced it will certainly go ahead in March 2021 - online. Held in association with

How COVID-19 has affected energy procurement

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 10:00:00 +0000

At the end of 2019, when I was considering what direction the energy market would take in the next 12 months. I considered the usual unpredictable factors such as extreme weather, natural disaster, political unrest and issues with the economy. At no point did I think that 11 months down the line we

Effective greenhouse management can be tricky

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Guest blogger Ed Hardy recently wrote the following for AHDB GrowSave and it was an interesting thought worth sharing here: Effective greenhouse management can be a tricky process, often requiring a combination of skill, intuition and technology to get it right. What ‘right’ looks

Regulatory Position Statements for new combustion plants

Sophie Archer — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0000

If you have a new Medium Combustion Plant (MCP) or Specified Generator (SG) and have applied for a bespoke environmental permit, or soon will, the Environment Agency (EA) is providing additional support for applicants in England and Wales from 02 October 2020 to 30 June 2021. Once a bespoke

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0000

From everyone here at NFU Energy, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It has been a very different year for us all and even with us working from home for the majority of the time, it has been great to carry on helping

Last chance for the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0000

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme is coming to an end for new applicants on the 31 March 2021. However, there are two options that can allow participants to install and apply for their projects up to 31 March 2022. A Tariff Guarantee if the system is eligible for this or systems that are

Final tariff reductions for the non domestic RHI

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Large water and ground source heat pumps (100 kWth and above) have again been hit with a 20% tariff reduction. This will see the rate drop to Tier 1: 4.47 p/kWh & Tier 2: 1.33 p/kWh for the remainder of the RHI scheme. You can apply for a Tariff Guarantee to try to get on the scheme before

BEIS green light for biggest battery in the UK

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Are you ready for SECR?

Liam Langford — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

As we are fast approaching the end of 2020, it is now even more crucial to have considered Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR). If you qualify, your first SECR report will have been due in 2020, included in your annual report for your first full financial year starting on or after the 01

Are you ready for SECR?

Liam Langford — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Changes to Non-Domestic RHI support

Ryan Ward — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

The notice published on 17 August 2020 set out the Governments intention to further support installations that have been impacted by COVID-19. These changes have now been amended further to aid those non-tariff guarantee eligible projects that have invested capital into project

Labour shortage in agriculture won’t be solved by redistribution

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Guest blogger Ed Hardy recently wrote the following for AHDB GrowSave and it was an interesting thought worth sharing here: The UK unemployment rate, at the time of writing, is estimated at 4.5%[1], its highest level in over three years and the result of many industries being severely

Don’t get your fingers frozen off

Joshua Robinson — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +0000

In the last few months, we have witnessed a lot of volatility in energy rates as COVID-19 continues to impact the worldwide market, as well as the energy market. With prices rising and falling monthly, this year has been quite different to previous years in terms of purchasing energy. Whilst we

Working with the Wood Heat Forum

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

I have recently joined the Wood Heat Forum Steering Group. This is a group of nominated members who engage with the Renewable Energy Association (REA) to provide ideas, information and opinions on how to best help Wood Heat Association (WHA) members. The WHA is part of the REA who promote the

Is your installation audit ready?

Matthew Swain — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +0000

The start of November saw a fresh round of customers being selected for non-domestic RHI audits by Ofgem, this was across all technology types and sizes. This renewed resolve is likely to lead many scheme participants to question whether their installation is compliant and could be considered audit

New coronavirus lockdowns lead to oil price slump

Jenny Beynon — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 16:19:49 +0000

Electricity supplier taking too much money on fixed direct debit payment

Candace Robb — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Talking to our customers, I have been hearing a lot of complaints against suppliers who bill on estimated reads and then take large sums of money out on direct debit payments. Most suppliers these days are under pressure from the Government to fit the smart SMET 2 meters. These are the next

Working together

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +0000

By working together with Myriad Heat and Power Products we can support customers with a complete Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) service, from the start through to ongoing compliance. Myriad is a specialist biomass installation and service business operating since 2002. They currently manage over

Money down the drain?

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 11:00:00 +0100

Guest blogger Ed Hardy recently wrote the following for AHDB GrowSave and it was an interesting thought worth sharing here: We all appreciate the importance of water, but we often take it for granted. It’s easy to turn on the tap and there it is, seemingly in abundance. The UK is

Be careful before you say yes

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 11:00:00 +0100

Some of our customers are getting calls from other Energy Brokers who are very persistent in trying to get them to agree to a verbal contract over the phone. They use pressure tactics to their advantage leaving some customers confused and resulting in them being trapped in unfavourable contracts

An update for combustion plant refurbs

Sophie Archer — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 12:00:00 +0100

We have recently sought clarity on whether changes made to an existing combustion plant qualifies it for permitting, as previously discussed in this blog. The Environment Agency (EA) has provided more guidance on the subject. Minor Refurbs vs Substantial Refurbs Existing Medium Combustion

Is your Anaerobic Digestion plant still exempt?

Sophie Archer — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 09:49:55 +0100

Across the UK, there are Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants that process biodegradable feedstocks to produce digestate and biogas. Large sites and those that process waste feedstocks require environmental permitting. However, any AD plant in England that meets either, or both, of the following is

‘Green hydrogen’ from renewables could become cheapest ‘transformative fuel’ within a decade

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 12:00:00 +0100

The Right Wood?

Sophie Archer — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 12:00:00 +0100

For those with biomass boilers, renewable heat is a critical aspect of their business. However, what you buy and use on site can carry more weight than most would think. In recent months, there have been significant developments and tightening of permitting compliance responsibilities regarding

What is the future for the costs of gas?

Jon Swain — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 12:00:00 +0100

The launch of the consultation into a green gas levy has set me thinking about the long term future for the costs of gas. Whilst it is true that 36p/MWh levy by 2028 is hardly going to get people very excited, the underlying principle is the more important part of the change. For many years we have

Get £5,000 grant for reducing energy consumption in your home

Jon Swain — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 11:28:22 +0100

Almost without any fanfare at all, the Green Homes Grant scheme was launched today. As the name suggests it is a domestic oriented scheme and will pay two thirds of the cost of improvements up to a maximum of a £5,000 grant for home improvements that reduce energy consumption. These improvements

Recent changes to Anaerobic Digestion plant Environmental Permits

Sophie Archer — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:00:00 +0100

In recent years, many Anaerobic Digestion plants have been built and managed under the Industrial Emissions Directive, published in 2010. However, AD plants and how they operate are now under review by the Environment Agency, which will be concluded, and new regulations introduced in August 2022.

What length of electricity contract should I sign up for?

Candace Robb — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 11:00:00 +0100

This is a question that we are asked a lot. In today’s market, the 12-month prices tend to be the cheapest but opting for this term length can leave you exposed to higher prices the next year. The three year deals tend to be on the high side but can see you on a very good tariff by the time

How Liebig’s barrel can help a horticulture business

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 09:16:49 +0100

Guest blogger Ed Hardy recently wrote the following for AHDB GrowSave and it was an interesting thought worth sharing here: I was recently reminded of Liebig’s Barrel, which depicts a wooden barrel with staves (the wooden planks) of differing lengths. The concept applies to plant

Lacking in wind power

Jon Swain — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 16:32:13 +0100

Tuesday 15 September was an exciting day for followers of the Capacity Market as the first notice was issued since November 2016. At 1:04 pm, National Grid published a warning that the operating margin of the grid was expected to fall below the required level at 5:30 pm the same day, with all

Reduce your carbon emissions from your farm

Ed Shuldham — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 11:00:00 +0100

It is hard not to come across the topic of carbon emissions in agriculture now, with its coverage in both the national and the farming press. Just last week there was an announcement in the Farmers Weekly that the National Trust’s own organic arable farm had become carbon negative. Not only had

Heat pumps key to London’s net zero ambition

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 11:00:00 +0100

Does your AD Plant need an Environmental Permit?

Sophie Archer — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 12:00:00 +0100

There is a legislative understanding for Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants in that they are waste treatment plants that turn waste into energy. However, due to the broad range of needs that AD plants deliver, this is not always the case. In general, the definition of waste is something that has

A further 20% reduction in RHI Tariff for large water/ground source heat pumps

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 10:55:00 +0100

Ofgem has continued to cut the RHI tariff rate for large water/ground source heat pumps (100 kWth and above). The latest digression will come into force on the 01 October and will see the tariff reduced by a further 20%. Over the last three quarters of the year, there have been reductions in

Is a cheap energy price really a fair one?

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 11:00:00 +0100

Finding time to check if the contract you are signing really is the best deal can be difficult while running your business. The energy contract market is filled with a mix of suppliers and energy brokers all trying to convince you that their contract is the best option for you. However,

Taking care of the day to day energy management for an AD

Elisa Evans — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 10:32:48 +0100

We take care of Codlaw Renewable Energy’s day to day energy management needs from their Feed-In Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive income to their Power Purchase Agreements for exported energy so that they can focus on maximizing the efficiency and output of their Anaerobic Digester and Combined

You too could benefit from NFU member buying power

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 13:49:57 +0100

Using the ever-growing buying power from NFU member’s electricity supplies we can offer competitive electricity prices with trustworthy suppliers through our NFU Electricity Buying Group. We helped members save over £1million through cheaper energy contracts last year and now we

New CCL Scheme deadline extended

Steven Leil — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 12:00:00 +0100

In the Spring Budget 2020, the government announced the CCA scheme would be extended for two years. A consultation on the changes has recently been carried out and based on responses, the UK government has made the following decisions: There will be an additional two-year Target Period

Changes to Non-Domestic RHI support and COVID-19 response: Further Government Response

Ryan Ward — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:06:30 +0100

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has announced further COVID-19 related extensions to the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). This is to cover non-Tariff Guarantee (TG) participants who have already committed funds to the project (prior to the 17 August

UK urged to reach 65% renewables by 2030

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 12:00:00 +0100

Update on all things RHI

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 11:00:00 +0100

We hope you are doing well in these unprecedented times and we wanted to take this opportunity to share a few things going on in the world of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Ofgem update industry on RHI tariff guarantee Following the announcement from BEIS regarding the RHI extension for

Renewables shine due to changing demand

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 12:00:00 +0100

Renewable generation has been in the spotlight over the past few months as the UK has adjusted to deal with coronavirus and demand for energy from business and industry has fallen sharply. The National Grid is predicting that 2020 will most likely be the lowest carbon electricity generation year in history as lower demand for electricity means it can run a higher proportion of solar, wind and nuclear generation.

Generators with a G59 relay must act now

Jon Swain — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 12:00:00 +0100

Any generators installed before February 2018 with a G59 relay needs to be updated to the new G59 relay rules by September 2022. Those who act quickly may be able to have costs reimbursed through the Accelerated Loss-of-Mains Change Programme (ALoMCP). The power generation industry has changed

Smarter smart metering - the smart choice

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 12:00:00 +0100

By now, you may have heard about a new phase of smart metering being promoted by energy suppliers, however, you might be unsure whether it is something you need for your business. With smart meters in the home giving domestic consumers better control over what they’re using, there are still many

Would you like to use less energy and save money?

Steven Jackson — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:00:00 +0100

Being more energy efficient is becoming more important to farmers and growers as the NFU aims to reach its target of the industry achieving net zero by 2040. A good way to start becoming more efficient is through an onsite energy audit which not only helps you use less energy but can also help you

How retailers collaborating on decarbonisation could impact horticulture

Jon Swain — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 11:43:23 +0100

Twenty retail businesses have recently joined forces through the British Retail Consortium (BRC), pledging to develop a blueprint for decarbonisation of the industry. Among the signatories are several supermarkets that have committed to reducing emissions not only in their shops but also through

Ofgem update industry on RHI tariff guarantee extension

Ryan Ward — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 11:00:00 +0100

Following the announcement from BEIS regarding the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) extension for tariff guarantee projects due to COVID-19, Ofgem has shared an update with the latest information. Here is the summary of what was shared: Extension of commissioning deadlines for current

Does SECR affect you?

Mike Bond — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 12:00:00 +0100

Large companies are now required to comply with the new Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) scheme, which came into effect on 01 April 2019. SECR replaced the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), and although designed to simplify energy and carbon reporting for large organisations, SECR

Engie team targets geothermal innovation

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 11:00:00 +0100

RHI participants: It’s time to be prepared…

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 12:00:00 +0100

Ofgem audits on Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) accredited systems are on the rise now that lockdown restrictions are lessening. If an auditor uncovers compliance issues you could, at best, face lengthy delays in payments while you sort out inconsistencies, while a serious breach could result in

Climate Change Agreement scheme two-year extension announced

Steven Leil — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 12:00:00 +0100

In the Spring Budget 2020, the Government announced the CCA scheme would be extended for two years. Details of the proposed changes are now starting to emerge: There will be an additional two-year Target Period for 2021-22 (TP5) Participants will be able to benefit from CCL relief until

Do you need to amend your RHI application, have you changed something?

Ed Shuldham — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 11:00:00 +0100

Everyone involved with the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will have come across talk of needing an ‘amendment’ at some point but what does that really mean? What is an RHI amendment? An RHI amendment is the process required to update your RHI application and the associated

BEIS announce an RHI extension due to COVID-19

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 12:42:37 +0100

The government has announced an extension to commissioning deadlines for all Tariff Guarantee projects to the 31 March 2022 and introducing a flexible 3rd allocation of Tariff Guarantees in a response to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) consolation. Extension of commissioning deadlines for

Energy contract volume tolerance

Candace Robb — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 09:59:41 +0100

What is it, why is it in my contract and how do I avoid charges? On your electricity and gas contracts you may see something that says ‘volume tolerance’ or ‘take or pay’ without much explanation of what this means. It is often overlooked when it comes to signing but is worth taking note of what

Updates on permitting and ongoing compliance

Sophie Archer — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 12:00:00 +0100

If your plant exceeds 1 MWth input and was commissioned after the 20 December 2018, it requires an Environmental Permit from the Environment Agency under the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD). Existing plants that were commissioned prior to December 2018 will require permitting in:

Waste Wood Acceptance: The P’s and Q’s

Sophie Archer — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 12:00:00 +0100

If you burn, or plan to burn, waste wood you need to make sure your site has a procedure in place to check the type and quality of the fuel being delivered. With national shortages of Virgin and Grade A waste wood becoming more frequent across suppliers, it is more important than ever to make

Could the coronavirus crisis finally finish off coal?

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 09:57:15 +0100

The Right Wood?

Sophie Archer — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 11:16:34 +0100

For those with biomass boilers, renewable heat is a critical aspect of their business – but what you buy and use on site can carry more weight than most would think. In recent months, there have been significant developments and tightening of permitting compliance responsibilities regarding what

Electricity prices took a Spring Bank Holiday rollercoaster

Mike Bond — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 10:57:49 +0100

An unpredictable combination of factors on the electricity markets led to a prolonged period of negative electricity prices over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Those consumers with flexible supply contracts enjoyed negative commodity prices for most of Saturday and again on the Sunday morning,

Going further with calculating carbon emissions

Eirinn Rusbridge — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 11:16:34 +0100

Interest in calculating carbon emissions has been recently gathering pace, with lively discussions at the NFU conference and the launch of the Net Zero: Farm Status Indicator. There are several online tools available for calculating carbon emissions. They each have different advantages and

Further RHI degression for large ground source heat pumps

Ryan Ward — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 14:34:56 +0100

Towards the end of March 2020, we saw a degression in the large (100 kWth and above) ground/water source heat pump RHI tariff of 10%. The recent expenditure forecast published by Ofgem at the end of May highlighted that this technology continues to exceed its expenditure threshold, and as such will

Electricity generators paid to switch off

Ben Ablewhite — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 09:59:19 +0100

Historically low demand on the electricity grid caused by the COVID-19 lockdown has driven National Grid to look for more ways to balance supply and demand, resulting in the launch of a new scheme paying generators to switch off. The Optional Downward Flexibility Management (ODFM) scheme is

Life in lockdown: our new working environment

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 28 May 2020 10:42:49 +0100

When the UK first went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic energy suppliers struggled to facilitate socially distanced working and they prioritised emergencies and vulnerable customers. Chances are, getting through to your supplier if you did not fall into these categories was not easy and I

Is vertical farming the future of horticulture?

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 26 May 2020 10:29:51 +0100

We are often led to believe that the future of horticulture will be vertical farming (VF) facilities growing crops in soilless substrates, using systems such as hydroponics, aquaponics and aeroponics. The nature of VF usually means a completely controlled environment, requiring lighting, irrigation

New lease of life for Climate Change Levy discount

Steven Leil — Thu, 21 May 2020 10:37:31 +0100

In the Spring Budget, the Government announced a two-year extension to the current Climate Change Agreement (CCA) scheme. Eligible businesses that sign a CCA receive a discount to the Climate Change Levy (CCL), the tax added to electricity and fuel bills, in return for reducing their energy use and carbon emissions in line with agreed targets.

Using Miscanthus chips or bales in your boiler?

Jenni Elves — Tue, 19 May 2020 09:52:20 +0100

Now’s the time to register your harvest on the Sustainable Fuel Register (SFR). It is easy to put things off. We all do it, saving those jobs for the rainy day and then finding something else to do when the heavens open. To be completely up to date with your fuel records on the SFR, the best

How the BSL helps your RHI accreditation

Ben Campbell — Thu, 14 May 2020 12:00:00 +0100

As part of your ongoing Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) obligations, you must demonstrate that any non-waste wood fuels you are sourcing are sustainable. To do this, you must provide evidence that your fuel meets both the land criteria and the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) threshold. This leaves you with two

Easy periodic data submission for the RHI

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 12 May 2020 11:46:50 +0100

Are you a Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme participant? Do you struggle with your regular data submissions that are required to fulfil the obligations of the Scheme? Are you checking to make sure the readings are in line with your expectations? NFU Energy is here to help ensure your ongoing compliance with the scheme.

Britain breaks record for coal-free power generation

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 07 May 2020 12:00:00 +0100

Electricity generators may be asked to turn off at short notice

Max Knowles — Wed, 06 May 2020 11:20:14 +0100

National Grid has asked Ofgem for permission to instruct embedded generators to turn off at short notice in time for the bank holiday this Friday (08 May). This proposed amendment to the Grid Supply Code is a last resort to help balance the grid supply and demand, in reaction to unprecedented

GrowSave set to go from strength to strength

Mike Bond — Tue, 05 May 2020 11:00:00 +0100

GrowSave has been keeping growers abreast of the latest energy saving techniques since 2007. A collaboration between AHDB and NFU Energy, it was originally set up to serve the protected edible and protected ornamental sectors and extended to cover soft fruit in 2018. It’s now set for a new five-

A view of what’s to come?

Ed Hardy — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 12:00:00 +0100

Given the current situation around the Coronavirus pandemic, most aspects of society have been greatly affected, horticulture and agriculture is no exception. The lockdowns imposed by the UK government in March, as well as others around the world, have led to immediate consequences for the whole

The burning question about refurbs

Sophie Archer — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 12:00:00 +0100

Have you got a combustion plant over 1 MW input on site? Has it been replaced or had its burner upgraded since the 20 December 2018? Then you may need to comply with the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) regulations to stay compliant with the EA. MCPD currently governs all new

How to secure a tariff guarantee

Ryan Ward — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 12:00:00 +0100

The most recent Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) tariff degression occurred on the 31 March 2020, reducing the tariff on ground/water source heat pumps (over 100 kWth) by 10% and the next potential degression will be on the 30 June 2020. You can secure tariff on a project before it is commissioned

Contacting your energy supplier during lockdown

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 10:27:51 +0100

Lockdown has forced a lot of us out of our comfort zones as well as adjust how and where we work. We have been fortunate enough to get our equipment home and continue with business as usual. However, it has not necessarily been the same for energy suppliers. Reduced customer service Most

Coronavirus causes Europe’s carbon market to crash

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 11:01:43 +0100

The clock is ticking on RHI applications

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 12:00:00 +0100

If your project is still a work in progress, or even just an idea, is there enough time to complete an RHI application before time runs out? The non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will close its doors to new applicants at the end of March 2021, just over nine years after it was first

Stay ahead of the game and consider your fuel supply

Jon Swain — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 12:00:00 +0100

As we enter the third week of strict restrictions on movement with many businesses working entirely from home, we are beginning to hear reports of difficulties in getting heating fuel supplies, both renewable and non-renewable. This may be as a result of some businesses closing because of

What do the budget announcements mean for farmers and growers?

Jon Swain — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 12:00:00 +0100

On the 13 March 2020, the chancellor Rishi Sunak stood up and announced his first budget. However, it’s easy to forget this since so much has happened in the UK since then…. Assuming the Coronavirus requirements do not take over the budget commitments, the budget itself was a really positive one

Are your RHI records audit worthy?

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 12:00:00 +0100

Over the past few years, Ofgem has been stepping up the number of audits on Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) systems. In fact, all systems on the RHI scheme are expected to be audited at least twice over their 20 years on the scheme. The auditor usually starts by looking at the paperwork and

Saving money on your export electricity contract

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 10:48:52 +0000

When Fullcircle Energy become one of our fully account managed customers we discovered that another broker had negotiated an export contract with a large commission. We worked with them to secure an alternative contract and save them £7,000 per year for their exported electricity. David Hunter

Supply contracts for new connections

Candace Robb — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 16:19:18 +0000

We take the headache out of arranging your supply contract following your grid connection and getting a meter installed. Where do I Start? Once your district network operator (DNO) has confirmed the completion date to connect you to the grid it’s time to look at arranging a supply contract so

Forty vertical farms to be built across the UK

Ed Hardy — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 11:35:36 +0000

Shockingly Fresh, a Scottish start-up has plans to develop more than 40 vertical farms in the UK and has recently received planning permission for its first site, a 1.2 Ha glasshouse near Offenham in Worcestershire. Most people are familiar with the concept of Vertical Farming (VF) – growing

COVID-19: Update from NFU Energy

Ben Ablewhite — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 15:39:19 +0000

We want to let you know about the measures we’re taking to reduce the spread of coronavirus whilst maintaining continuity of service. We’re following the government’s guidelines, the main impact being: The team are now all remote working and still contactable on the regular phones numbers

Environment Agency clamps down on temporary permissions to combust

Mike Bond — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 10:25:35 +0000

Since the 20 December 2018, the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) has been applicable to all prospective operators of combustion plants over 1 MWth input until either 2025 or 2030, with exemption to plants commissioned prior to this date. For all applicable plants in both the present and the

Are you audit ready?

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0000

The hot topics at Energy and Rural Business Show 2020

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 11:37:19 +0000

Last week we exhibited at the Energy and Rural Business Show, held at the East of England Show Ground in Peterborough. We had two great days meeting new and existing customers And, as usual, we had a lot of queries about solar panels and electricity contracts. However, this year there was more

Ofgem to encourage electric vehicles and wind power in net zero drive

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 11:00:00 +0000

It’s time for SECR

Mike Bond — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Phase 2 of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is now complete, but does that mean you can relax until it’s time to get ready for the next reporting deadline in 2023? ESOS is the government scheme aimed at reducing the UK’s carbon emissions by making it compulsory for large businesses

Large ground source heat pump tariff degression

Ryan Ward — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:16:36 +0000

Starting on the 01 April 2020, there will be a 10% tariff degression on all heat pumps over 100 kWth as a result of this quarterly assessment. The next quarterly forecast based on data from the 30 April 2020, will be published on the 01 July 2020 along with the next potential degression. Ground/

Could you improve your efficiency?

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 12:03:54 +0000

For many of us, saving energy is driven by our desire or need to save money, whether this is at work or home. Improving energy efficiency is particularly pertinent for larger commercial operations, where there are small efficiency increases can offer significant savings and protect against volatile

What’s your carbon footprint?

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today is the first day of the 2020 NFU Conference “Farming Without Barriers”. The aim of the next two days is to provide a first chance to shape what agriculture looks like in the future. Last year the NFU made bold plans to make agriculture carbon neutral by 2040 and the first step to reducing

How the Dairy Sector can reduce its carbon footprint

Ed Hardy — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Recently I attended Dairy Tech, an expo-style event comprising of seminars and trade stands showcasing the latest innovations and developments in the Dairy industry. This year, there was a lot of talk around reducing the sector’s impact on the climate, in line with the Government’s target to

A month in the life of our buying group

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 10:05:35 +0000

We helped members save over £1million through cheaper energy contracts last year and now we help save them even more through our NFU Electricity Buying Groups group purchasing. We are gathering as many NFU members as possible and tasking suppliers to give us a bulk price for our

My life at NFU Energy so far…

Eirinn Rusbridge — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 12:43:59 +0000

I joined NFU Energy in November 2018 as a Graduate Engineer. Since then I have worked on a wide variety of projects, spanning feasibility studies, legislative consulting, renewable incentive compliance, and carbon footprinting. Feasibility studies involve modelling and assessing the fit of

Carbon as a crop…

Ben Campbell — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 09:49:02 +0000

The first Woodland Carbon Guarantee (WCaG) auction of the five-year period is currently underway. This incentive scheme is set to increase tree planting rates across the UK and is part of the government’s 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment. The UK’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050 means storing

Ofgem sets out nine-point plan to prioritise climate crisis

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0000

How to get help with energy related disputes

Jon Swain — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0000

The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and Renewables Obligation have closed to new applicants, and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will close to new applicants in March 2021. However, all have 20 year lifetimes for accredited systems. It is already becoming more common for disputes to arise between operators

Making sense of an upgrade to electricity meters

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 10:01:09 +0000

Howard from J.H. Mitchinson, a poultry farm business based in Carlisle, was forced to upgrade his business electricity meters to half-hourly ones due to the P272 legislation brought in by Government. Simply put, P272 affected medium scale users of electrical energy, who were obliged to beef-up

Welcome to the Energy and Rural Business Show 2020

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 10:01:30 +0000

Join us at Energy and Rural Business Show at the East of England Showground on Tuesday 03 and Wednesday 04 March on Stand 31. The Energy and Rural Business Show is a business event for the agricultural and rural communities of the UK, providing in depth information and guidance on renewable

Why is my meter information required?

Joshua Robinson — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 14:20:29 +0000

Most energy contracts are quoted based on the Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN). This is part of the supply number which consists of two rows of numbers with a large ‘S’ in front of them as shown below: Most supply

Coming soon to an Embedded Generator near you - Capacity Market 2020

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 10:18:22 +0000

The Capacity Market (CM) has certainly had its highs and lows in the last two years. Our Combined Heat and Power (CHP) clients had just got used to their regular monthly income and then a complaint raised by Tempus Energy with the European Courts resulted in it being put on ‘standstill’ in November

The impact of GrowSave

Jon Swain — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 09:26:43 +0000

GrowSave, a collaboration between AHDB and NFU Energy, has been around for thirteen years. We look back at the impact we’ve had on the horticulture industry over the last five. Born originally out of a desire to help horticultural businesses save energy and reduce their environmental impact,

2019 the greenest year on record

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 09:55:51 +0000

The UK’s renewable sector outperformed fossil fuel plants on a record 137 days in 2019, making it the greenest year yet. Renewable energy from wind, solar, hydro and biomass grew by 9% last year and in the UK’s largest electricity source in March, August, September and December. This increase

How to get started with carbon footprinting

Eirinn Rusbridge — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0000

As the climate change agenda gathers pace, many farmers and growers are thinking about how to assess their greenhouse gas emissions and how to begin to reduce or offset them. The process of reducing emissions usually starts by calculating a carbon footprint. This is a measure of the total

Wrapped up with ESOS… now for SECR

Mike Bond — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0000

The second round of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is now complete. NFU Energy assisted nine clients with achieving compliance, and in each case, the Environment Agency was notified in time for the 5 December Phase 2 deadline. The aim of ESOS is to compel company directors to

Zero-carbon electricity outstrips fossil fuels in Britain across 2019

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 11:09:25 +0000

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 10:00:00 +0000

From everyone here at NFU Energy, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It’s been a great year at NFU Energy, meeting new customers either face to face at events or over the phone, as well as helping existing ones with all their

Coal... Is this the beginning of the end?

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 10:00:00 +0000

Is your system compliant?

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 10:00:00 +0000

If your Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) accredited system is several years old, has been modified since installation or, if you are uncertain whether it would pass an Ofgem audit, then our RHI HealthCheck service could be of interest to you. Our RHI HealthCheck replicates the one carried out by

Energy contracts: Your questions answered

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 11:17:31 +0000

Getting to grips with energy prices and suppliers can be challenging. This month, the contract team at NFU Energy share their expertise and answer some of the most common questions asked by NFU members. Why do unit rates still go up when the wholesale electricity price falls? The wholesale

Is your heat meter RHI compliant?

Thomas Wilkins — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 10:00:00 +0000

Ofgem has released a notification that the following meters are not compliant with GB regulations where the heat conveying liquid being measured is typically greater than 30°C: Meters that have only been shown to meet Class 2 accuracy requirements under ISO 4064:2014. Meters that have

What’s happening in the regions?

Steven Jackson — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 10:00:00 +0000

Richard Weeks and I have been busy throughout November, joining in with a range of NFU regional events ranging from Annual Open meetings, winter conferences and regional environmental open days in the South West and North West. These events gave us the opportunity to represent NFU Energy to a

Another loss for electricity generators

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:00:00 +0000

The recently announced outcome from Ofgem's Targeted Charging Review (TCR) will mean a reduction of around £2.50/MWh of electricity exported to the grid by embedded generators with effect from April 2021. What is an embedded generator? An embedded generator (EG) is a generator of electricity

Don’t get your fingers frozen off

Joshua Robinson — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 11:15:18 +0000

In the last few months, we have witnessed a lot of stability in energy rates with only minimal increases and falls observed. In line with plummeting temperatures and darker nights we often see an increase in the reliance on gas and electricity and as excess storage depletes prices often go up.

Carbon credit scheme to encourage farmers to plant more trees

Jon Swain — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 10:00:00 +0000

Defra has announced that farmers and growers could benefit from a long-term income stream to encourage new woodlands through the Woodland Carbon Guarantee (WCaG). This is a £50 million scheme that aims to help increase woodland planting in England. In fact, the government has promised to plant

Birmingham Airport schedules a net-zero arrival for 2033

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 10:00:00 +0000

The changes to the trade markets

Ed Hardy — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 11:04:47 +0000

As the Brexit deadline is further delayed and details of a trade deal with Europe remain unknown, the potential impact of the UK’s departure from the EU on the country’s agricultural industry is still unclear. The recent BBC series ‘What Britain Buys and Sells in a Day’ gave a good insight into how

Electricity generation owners must act now

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 09:44:47 +0000

Owners of equipment capable of exporting electricity to the grid are required to ensure that their grid protection equipment is compliant with current regulations. In the past, that’s meant the G59 standard which has recently been superseded by G99. The Accelerated Loss of Mains Change

Final opportunities for TRIAD Income

Max Knowles — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 11:00:00 +0000

We have now entered the TRIAD season for 2019 – 2020 and this could be the last opportunity for generators to earn a respectable amount of money by exporting electricity. The four-month winter period where National Grid monitors national electricity demand and ultimately identifies the

Bright sparks’ expert energy advice

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 10:00:00 +0000

Energy plays an increasingly important role in farm businesses. Here’s how the team at NFU Energy and their range of services can help to unlock the best value. THINK BEYOND CONTRACTS Many members already benefit from being part of an NFU Energy buying group. Getting the best price and contract

The nights are drawing in – time to be energy efficient

Jon Swain — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 09:27:44 +0000

This weekend we moved out of BST meaning that it’s starting to get dark earlier. This isn’t the only effect of the hour change however, any equipment that you have that is controlled by a timeclock may well now be out of sync with your expected pattern of use. Now is the time to check that these

Join us at Energy and Rural Business Show

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 10:00:00 +0000

The Energy and Rural Business Show, run in association with NFU Energy, is opening its doors at the East of England Showground on Tuesday 03 and Wednesday 04 March 2020. The Energy and Rural Business Show is a pioneering event which comes from the creators of The Energy Now Expo. Run in

Do you have permission?

Sophie Archer — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 11:07:25 +0100

Having the necessary planning permissions and the relevant environmental permits in place has always been a requirement for a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) application. As well as this, it is a legal requirement that applicants must take very seriously. In recent times, Ofgem has been more

MCPD environmental permits – all you need to know

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Under the rules of the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) that came into force at the end of 2018, combustion plants and generators rated at greater than 1MWth and less than 50MWth capacity (based on the fuel input) must have an environmental permit to operate. The scheme is aimed at

SOLARWATT kits out poultry farm with egg-citing new solar roof

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Read our top five energy related news stories from the last couple of weeks. Energy is always in the news in one way or another, from renewable energy technology advancements and the latest from the ‘big six’ energy suppliers to advancements in energy saving and sustainability. In this blog, we

Could regulator veto put an end to supplier collapse chaos?

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 10:00:00 +0100

Ofgem may be looking to block the suppliers that go bust from selling their customers to rival suppliers. Since January 2018, fourteen energy suppliers have collapsed with a further nine predicted to follow over the next six months. During these collapses more secure suppliers have been picking

The intermittency of renewable generation

Ryan Ward — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Electrical energy is an indispensable part of our daily lives and as most of the world is gradually shifting from fossil fuel generation to cleaner renewables, problems can arise on the National Grid. The National Grid was originally designed to have large stable generators sending electricity

Can we meet the energy demands of automation?

Oli Coe — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 11:00:00 +0100

With the rise in robotic solutions in horticulture, our GrowSave* project considers how this might impact your energy use and costs. As more and more technology is introduced to the horticultural world, energy demand is also very likely to rocket up. Of course, automatic solutions are

Getting to know NFU Cymru

Steven Jackson — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Last week I represented NFU Energy at the Innovation and Diversification Wales show at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells. This was a new event staged by Farming Connect, an organisation providing Farm and Forestry businesses across Wales with business support and training. Although a

MCPD environmental permits: all you need to know

Mike Bond — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 11:00:00 +0100

The Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) came into effect towards the end of last year. It’s the scheme aimed at improving air quality by controlling the emission of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and dust pollutants, so reducing the potential risks to health and the environment. To

The hot topics at GreenTech 2019

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Back in June this year Oli and I visited the GreenTech horticulture exhibition alongside many in the greenhouse industry that was held in Amsterdam. Whilst there was a lot to see the stand out themes with an energy twist were: Lights Vertical farming Data CO2 Lights Probably the

Are smart meters finally smart enough?

Joshua Robinson — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Although smart meters have been installed since 2009, it wasn’t until 2016 that the official smart meter infrastructure went live. The aim of this was to have every UK household offered a smart meter by 2020. However, last week this target was pushed back to 2024 at a total cost expected to exceed

Are Global Warming Potentials fit for purpose for carbon foot printing?

Eirinn Rusbridge — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Due to this difference in lifetimes of Greenhouse Gases, the usefulness of Global Warming Potentials in its current state has been questioned. Is it fair that methane (and therefore ruminant livestock) is associated with such high equivalent carbon emissions when their contributions only last for 10 years in the atmosphere?

NFU Energy join Jules Energy for their bike adventure

Steven Jackson — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 11:00:00 +0100

At the beginning of September Mike, Elisa, Ed and myself joined the Jules and Friends Bike Event 2019, where we would be cycling between 50 and 100 km a day. Here is how we got on… Mike, Elisa and I loaded the car up Thursday evening immediately after work and set off for Harwich for the

Last chance to vote…

Jenny Beynon — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 14:54:36 +0100

NFU Energy has put forward our Head of Technical Delivery, Oli, to be appointed to the Board of the Wood Heat Association (WHA) to represent non-wood biomass interests. Voting closes on Sunday 15 September read below to find out what Oli has to say and get your vote in today… I am delighted to

Energy firms plan UK's first carbon-neutral 'industrial cluster'

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 10:37:22 +0100

How Brexit might impact on EUETS

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 09:57:05 +0100

Whilst there is a lot of ‘small print’, generally, if you have the ability to burn fuel at a rate of more than 20 MW on a site then you are likely to have a European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EUETS) Permit. This is essentially a carbon quota system and with it being an EU scheme it could

Make hay while the sun shines

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 09:52:36 +0100

Any time is a good time to take stock of your energy costs, but as we look ahead to colder weather and less daylight, now is an especially good time to assess things and ensure efficient energy use this winter. Your energy-saving opportunities will depend on your type of farm, processes and

Vote for Oli

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 10:07:06 +0100

NFU Energy has put forward our Head of Technical Delivery, Oli, to be appointed to the Board of the Wood Heat Association (WHA) to represent non-wood biomass interests. It’s a really important role to many farmers, growers, fuel suppliers and those with renewable installations. It offers the

Glasshouse climate optimisation

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 09:33:57 +0100

The use of sensors within horticulture is hardly a recent development, with thermometers, measuring boxes and CO2 sensors having been used for decades. However, the advent of wireless sensing technology, as well as the reduction in prices of such equipment, means data collection is now cheaper and

Have you gone green…?

Ben Ablewhite — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 10:23:17 +0100

A few weeks ago, E.ON announced that they would, with immediate effect, provide all of their domestic consumers with renewable electricity as standard, at no extra charge. Good news, but not unprecedented since Shell Energy did exactly the same thing last year. How is it possible to go green

What caused the recent blackout?

Oli Coe — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 10:47:46 +0100

The Government will shortly be issuing a verdict on National Grid’s handling of the blackout a couple of weeks ago. What happened? Britain’s most severe blackout in more than a decade caused rush hour travel disruption across the UK’s biggest train stations, railways, roads and airports in

Milestone as Equinor hits first oil from huge Mariner project

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 14:33:29 +0100

Should I be fixing long term or short term on my renewal?

Candace Robb — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 15:57:05 +0100

One of the things that I get asked most regularly is if the energy prices are likely to come down at all. If I had a crystal ball to be able to predict what the energy market was going to do, I would be a very wealthy person! Energy prices have increased by around 10-15% annually over the

When the price of electricity goes down, how do unit rates still go up?

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 11:47:40 +0100

For the last few years each renewal we do reminds us of the increase in the cost of electricity, but why are prices increasing? When considering that the cost of oil has dropped from $74 a barrel (Aug 2018) to $60 a barrel (Aug 2019) and the wholesale electricity price for 12 months’ supply also

Improve light transmission in your glasshouse

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 09:02:16 +0100

You may be familiar with the research – a 1% increase in light can lead to a 1% increase in production – but do you know how to realise the maximum benefit? Even the best glasshouses only transmit somewhere in the region of 60% of sunlight to the crop inside, with many achieving far less. So, what

Using glass for soft fruit

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 11:01:15 +0100

With growing consumer demand for soft fruit throughout the year, many growers are capitalising on the opportunity to supply the increasing market. To do so, however, probably means a change in approach and an investment in some new – or perhaps old – infrastructure. For those with existing

RHI: Points to watch

Jon Swain — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 11:16:34 +0100

Many farm businesses run into difficulty when it comes to an RHI audit due to failure to notify system changes or omissions or inaccuracies in record keeping. One issue seen in recent months relates to planning permission for biomass boilers. It’s always been a requirement of the RHI to have proof

Royally good time at the Royal Welsh Show

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 10:00:41 +0100

On Monday 22 July and Tuesday 23 July, Jon Swain and I attended the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells to spread the word about NFU Energy, the various ways we can support members and answer any energy-related questions they may have on the day. This was my first time at the show and the sheer

How to achieve good air movement in a glasshouse

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 12:00:36 +0100

Optimising production methods is one of the aims of many greenhouse growers. Determining what makes an optimal climate for crop quality and production, however, can be challenging, and it’s certainly worth bearing in mind that what feels comfortable to a person may be less than ideal for a crop.

Sustainability compliance is far from just another hoop

Oli Coe — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 14:19:38 +0100

It’s easy to think of sustainability compliance as just another hoop you need to jump through to get your Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payment for your biomass project. Most RHI participants probably view it as an annoying inconvenience. However, if you fully engage in the process it can help you

Green light for Cheshire geothermal energy research

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 09:50:55 +0100

NFU aims for net zero carbon emissions by 2040

Oli Coe — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Farmers and growers will be looking to quantify their current carbon emissions and identify areas of improvement in response to the NFU's goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and the Committee on Climate Change announcement of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Although

What’s the best electricity contract length for my renewal?

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 11:00:00 +0100

No matter what big purchase you’re making in life; be it a new car, a property or your energy, the risk of the price coming down after your purchase will always be in the back of your mind. Although it is often considered that committing to a longer-term contract when the market is high is a

How to get 50% more for your electricity

Ben Ablewhite — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 11:00:00 +0100

If you generate electricity and sell your surplus to the grid you might have spotted that the gap between the price you receive for your exported energy and the price you pay to buy from the grid seems to be growing. It’s true, and the difference is set to increase as green taxes levied on the

Soft Fruit growers benefit from GrowSave

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 11:00:00 +0100

GrowSave has been helping horticulture save energy for over a decade now, and has made a positive impact during that time. Although we aren’t growers or plant physiologists, we do understand horticulture and energy, and it is this combination that has allowed us to use our expertise for the benefit of the industry. Traditionally focused around Protected Edibles and Protected Ornamentals GrowSave now also incorporates Soft Fruit.

Supporting NFU members and spreading the word...

Jon Swain — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 11:00:00 +0100

We are always interested in opportunities to reach out to promote the work we do and the services we offer to NFU members, as they represent the core of our customer base. With over 45,000 NFU Farmer and Grower members, we feel strongly there is much scope for us to help and advise them in many

Get more for your straw

Oli Coe — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 10:28:50 +0100

With the harvest approaching, you may be looking at market prices and thinking about how much straw to keep or stockpile for your own use and how much to sell on. If you are considering selling straw or any other harvest residue for the biomass market, the good news is that there’s an easy way to

Drax, Equinor and National Grid partner to create UK’s first zero carbon cluster

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 11:00:00 +0100

What affects energy market prices over time

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 11:00:00 +0100

We always do our best to give advice about what changes may affect prices over time, to allow you to make informed decisions when arranging your energy contracts. Here I’ll go through some of the common topics we’ve been discussing with our customers recently. Do supplier price caps affect me

June’s buying group prices are better than ever

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 10:28:01 +0100

Our June NFU Electricity Buying Group prices are offering even bigger and better savings for members – plus an exclusive bonus! Over the last two years, NFU members have been saving up to 10% on their electricity contract renewals with significantly discounted rates from some of the best-known

Plant powered energy savings?

Oli Coe — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 10:35:59 +0100

I recently came across a talk about the air ‘purifying’ effect of a number of household plants, and within the talk, the speaker mentioned that alongside improved productivity within offices, the addition of a number of these plants per person resulted in energy savings of around 15%. In the

We are coming to a show near you

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 11:07:32 +0100

It’s that time of year for the annual agricultural shows and we are joining the NFU on their stands at the Royal Cornwall Show and the Royal Welsh Show. The 2019 Royal Cornwall Show actually starts today (Thursday 06 June) and runs through till Saturday 08 June at the Royal Cornwall Showground,

Are you SECR ready?

Oli Coe — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Check now to ensure you don’t get caught out by SECR, a new mandatory compliance scheme for large companies. The new Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) scheme came into effect on the 01 April 2019, replacing the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC). Although designed to simplify energy

Existing SFR users... don’t forget to register fuel each year

Oli Coe — Thu, 30 May 2019 11:00:00 +0100

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) can seem like bureaucracy gone mad. There are masses of guidance notes to read, long sprawling emails that seem to drop into your inbox all too regularly, hoops to jump through when you make the slightest system or admin change and heaps of ongoing obligations. It

How complaint are you?

Elisa Evans — Tue, 28 May 2019 11:00:00 +0100

If you have an approved RHI application then there are several ongoing obligations with which you need to comply with to claim payments. These are laid out by Ofgem which administers the RHI scheme on behalf of the Government. Instances of non-compliance identified or reported to Ofgem can

Capitalising on opportunities and rise to the challenges

Jon Swain — Thu, 23 May 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Here at NFU Energy, we can sometimes feel like a broken record (remember them), repeating similar messages to reinforce the state of the UK energy market. However, here are some of the inalienable truths: The energy market is a volatile place General energy trends are for increased cost

£30m grant fund announced

Jon Swain — Tue, 21 May 2019 11:00:00 +0100

In the autumn last year, Government announced they would commit a further £30 million to the next round of the popular small grants scheme for agriculture. The small grants programme is an important part of the Improving Countryside Productivity scheme funded by the Rural Development Programme for

UK has first coal-free week for a century

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 16 May 2019 11:00:00 +0100

CCL horticulture sector saves over £3 million

Steven Leil — Tue, 14 May 2019 11:00:00 +0100

A number of Horticultural businesses registered on the NFU Climate Change Levy (CCL) scheme have now completed their third Target Period reporting at the start of 2019. Data submissions have been presented to the Environment Agency and the results have been issued to all operators. Initial

Our NFU Electricity Buying Groups go monthly…

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 09 May 2019 11:18:24 +0100

Our ever-popular NFU Electricity Buying Groups will now be run monthly, providing more flexibility and making them easier to join for members. Over the past two years, our successful NFU Electricity Buying Groups have been tendered quarterly to the suppliers to negotiate a discounted offering

Net Zero… the UK’s contribution to stopping global warming

Oli Coe — Tue, 07 May 2019 10:10:50 +0100

On the 02 May 2019, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) released a report titled ‘Net Zero, The UK’s contribution to stopping global warming’, which outlines targets and recommendations for all sectors across the UK, Scottish and Welsh economies, aimed at achieving a reduction in net Greenhouse

Energising energy – what next?

Jon Swain — Thu, 02 May 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Against a background of volatile energy prices, changing energy policy and diminishing government incentives for renewables. What opportunity does energy hold for farmers and growers? From September/October 2018-February 2019, around a 60% peak-to-trough variation in the price of gas took place

Storm Hannah arrives in the nick of time

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 11:00:00 +0100

The rain has come just at the right time for anyone thinking about planting Miscanthus this spring. With record breaking temperatures in February and over Easter and wall to wall sunshine, farmland was starting to become worryingly dry. Farmers and gardeners across the UK were metaphorically doing

All about mushrooms

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Today we are representing GrowSave* at the Mushroom Conference and on hand to answer any energy-related questions. The conference aims to bring together the industry during a time of major change, uncertainty and opportunity. Organised collaboratively with industry representatives and the AHDB,

The ups and downs of vertical farming

Jon Swain — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 11:00:00 +0100

The term Vertical Farming (VF) can be used to define a variety of concepts. For some, it might conjure up images of tall structures with plants growing on the outside, while others may imagine multiple racks within shipping containers. In essence, VF refers to the practice of building upwards, or

When is the best time to sign a fixed contract?

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 09:35:56 +0100

Simply put… there isn’t a steadfast rule to this and it isn’t always in the summer which is a common misconception. In the contracts team, we help NFU members procure thousands of contracts every year. Our customer’s supplies range from small farm buildings to large pump houses, vegetable stores

New energy suppliers face 'fit and proper' testing

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 15:59:31 +0100

How energy aware are you?

Jenni Elves — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 09:42:01 +0100

During a recent poll of UK office employees, EON found that a whopping 60% of us are completely unaware of what energy saving practices are being undertaken in our own offices. A very small percentage (<4%) of the 500 people surveyed actually believe that energy management and energy saving

New scheme is launched to encourage heat networks

Ed Shuldham — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 10:52:23 +0100

The Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) was launched in October 2018, following a pilot scheme which ran from 2016 to 2017 and offered a total of £18.5m of funding to eight eligible projects. The aim of HNIP is to increase the number of heat networks being built. Heat networks are

TRIAD dates and reductions to future rates

Max Knowles — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 12:32:51 +0100

The TRIAD dates for the 2018/2019 winter season, have now been published by National Grid. The dates are: 22 November 2018 at 17:00 10 December 2018 at 17:00 23 January 2019 at 17:30 We have experienced a milder winter, compared to 2017/2018 and the ‘beast from the east’ sending

More than just hot air

Jon Swain — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 11:00:00 +0100

Correctly circulating air in a glasshouse can be tricky as you can’t see currents and airflow. Here are some tips and tricks you can use to optimise air movement in your glasshouse. Optimising the climate for crop health should be a key objective of any grower, but achieving the optimum

Coal is on the way out

Jenny Beynon — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 11:23:50 +0000

Be sure to claim your increased CCL relief

Steven Leil — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 10:54:17 +0000

Calling all members of the NFU CCL Scheme... On 01 April 2019, the Government is increasing Climate Change Levy (CCL) Rates and the level of discount you receive as part of the Climate Change Agreement (CCA) you hold under the NFU CCL Scheme. You must complete new PP10 and PP11 forms in order to

Join our club…

Jon Swain — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 10:00:00 +0000

Following a successful pilot study group project focused on Next Generation Growing (NGG), GrowSave* led a workshop on 14 February 2019, hosted by Mill Nurseries, to share some of the lessons learned. The 25-strong audience comprised of growers, crop consultants and industry representatives, all

Our buying groups are changing for the better

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 10:16:54 +0000

Following feedback from our NFU members, we’ve listened and are making some improvements to our NFU Electricity Buying Groups. We have recently just closed another quarterly buying group with 435 NFU Members benefiting from the savings available. However, some members weren’t able to join as

Fraudulent callers causing confusion throughout the industry

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 10:28:48 +0000

NFU Energy customers are starting to be targeted by fraudulent energy brokers posing as NFU Energy and energy suppliers. For as long as I can remember there have been rogue energy brokers out there trying to make some fast money from unsuspecting customers and it seems as though they’re becoming

Join us at BeerX UK 2019

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 09:14:11 +0000

We are excited to be heading to the ACC Exhibition Centre in Liverpool for SIBA’s BeerX UK on Wednesday and Thursday this week. BeerX is the UK’s largest independent craft brewing trade show and is open to SIBA member and non – member breweries alike, as well as representatives from brewing

Soft Fruit growers control your climate

Ed Hardy — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 10:00:00 +0000

GrowSave’s second workshop specifically for Soft Fruit was held on 27 February at New Forest Fruit. The focus of the day was Climate Control, which incorporated aspects of humidity and temperature control, as well as CO2 dosing. Energy and CO2 can be some of the biggest costs faced by businesses,

Are you ESOS compliant?

Oli Coe — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 10:38:10 +0000

Any large organisation with 250 + employees or turnover greater than £39m is required to comply with the Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS). For anyone who qualifies, the time is now to make arrangements to meet the requirements of this statutory scheme. However, don’t worry we have experts

Did you meet the CCL deadline?

Steven Leil — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 12:34:20 +0000

Today marks the deadline for NFU Climate Change Levy (CCL) scheme participants to complete their Online CCL Data return. Although we have indeed received the majority of CCL Data returns from our members on the scheme, for this reporting period (2017/18), some are still outstanding. So, if

SECR - You may not have to comply, but it will affect you

Oli Coe — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 10:00:00 +0000

Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR) will replace the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme from April 2019. The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme has been in operation since 2010 and currently affects about 4,000 companies that consume at least 6,000 MWh through half

Energy: The alternative income stream

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 11:56:00 +0000

What a fantastic two days we had at the NFU Conference this week. Around 1500 farmers descended on the ICC in Birmingham for the NFU Conference 2019 to reflect on the importance of farming and food production in these challenging times. The two days were made up of plenary sessions, workshop and

Next Generation Growing – Lessons Learned

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 10:00:00 +0000

Following a successful pilot study group project focused on Next Generation Growing (NGG), GrowSave led a workshop on 14 February 2019, hosted by Mill Nurseries, to share some of the lessons learned. The 25-strong audience comprised growers, crop consultants and industry representatives, all keen

Renewable energy will be world’s main power source by 2040

Jenny Beynon — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 10:19:41 +0000

Same team, same service, new brand…

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 10:00:00 +0000

This week we have officially rebranded as NFU Energy, bringing together the NFU’s leading role in the farming industry with our engineering and energy expertise to deliver the best deal for farmers and growers. Back in 2017 we were purchased by the NFU and will continue our strong track record

Risky business – are small suppliers a safe bet?

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 10:00:00 +0000

With more than 70 gas and electricity suppliers out there, it’s hard to know whether or not the supplier offering you great prices is too good to be true. Will they be able to stay afloat in a tough and competitive market? When suppliers go under, like Extra Energy and Economy Energy, customers

2019 is here, and so is Phase 2 of ESOS compliance

Mike Bond — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 10:00:00 +0000

So, it’s that ESOS time again! 2019 brings the second phase of compliance for large businesses and as one of FEC Energy’s lead assessors, I have a growing client list for whom we will enable compliance requirements to be met. Unsurprisingly given our business sector, I will be working for

Controlling your humidity

Ed Hardy — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 10:00:00 +0000

If you routinely use ‘minimum pipe’ as a method of humidity control, you could be wasting a significant amount of money. Delegates at the recent two-day GrowSave workshop on Humidity Control learned how other strategies can be much more effective, not to mention cheaper. We deliver the GrowSave

NFU members welcome at Energy and Rural Business Show

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 10:32:34 +0000

Established in 2010, the Energy and Rural Business Show taking place 6-7 February at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire is the latest evolution of this renewable energy event aimed specifically at the agricultural and rural sectors. Showcasing the latest opportunities for

Feed-in Tariff... Last call at the bar

Oli Coe — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 11:24:16 +0000

The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) has been responsible for the recent popularity of renewable electricity installations in the UK. In fact, in recent times we have had unprecedented levels of electricity supplied by clean, green sources. For example, between July and September 2018 28% of the total

LEGO reaches 100% renewable energy target three years early

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:00:00 +0000

Energy efficiency… not glamorous but effective

Mike Bond — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 10:00:00 +0000

The global effort to reduce manmade emissions of the greenhouse gas CO2 has always been a two-pronged assault. Energy usage is reduced by efficiency improvements and decarbonised through renewable sources. The recent analysis of the competing sectors’ relative contributions has shown that since

The world of energy… what is going to happen in 2019?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 10:00:00 +0000

So much is meant to be happening in 2019 and if I truly knew what the energy markets were going to do, I would have been a commodities trader and made so much money I would have retired by now! However here are a few of my musings… Energy Markets As I have said to lots of our clients –

Feed-in Tariffs... life in the old dog yet?

Oli Coe — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:00:00 +0000

Back in the summer of last year, the Government announced the closure of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme in its entirety, meaning that there would be a lack of support for small scale renewables from March this year (see my other blog here). A further consultation was published, however, and the

The world of energy: what happened in 2018?

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 11:26:09 +0000

So much happened last year within the world of energy and blogs are meant to be short, aren’t they… However here are my thoughts in brief… Energy markets That spell of inclement weather aka ‘The Beast from the East’ certainly put the wind up the energy markets. National Grid issued a ‘Request

Sending food to Space

Oli Coe — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 10:00:00 +0000

Towards the end of last year, negotiators gathered in Poland for the UN Climate Change Conference to discuss possible measures to halt global warming, whilst news emerged of a projected carbon emissions increase of more than 2% (compared with a 1.6% rise last year). The difficulty of

Forget flying reindeer…

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0000

Read our top five energy related news stories from the last couple of weeks. Energy is always in the news in one way or another, from renewable energy technology advancements and the latest from the ‘big six’ energy suppliers, to advancements in energy saving and sustainability. In this blog, we

Introducing Eirinn…

Oli Coe — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0000

Our team is growing rapidly and Eirinn Rusbridge recently joined our team of engineers. In this blog, he introduces himself and tells us about his past experience, over to you Eirinn… It’s been a month since I started at FEC Energy as a Graduate Engineer, and so far it has been great. Everyone

It’s the most... expensive time of the year

Ed Hardy — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0000

As the winter sets in and the days get colder and shorter, maintaining a productive growing environment can be a challenge. For those targeting year-round production, keeping crops warm and well-lit, this can be an expensive time of year with high heating and electricity bills. However, growing out

Climate Change Levy rate set to increase in April 2019

Steven Leil — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0000

With the upcoming closure of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (known as the CRC), in April 2019, almost every business will see a significant increase in their energy costs. As the government loses revenue from one scheme, it was decided an increase in Climate Change Levy (

Hydrogen in the gas network

Andrew Morbey — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 11:46:43 +0000

In May 2018, Cadent announced it would build the UK’s first large-scale hydrogen network (HyNet), which will serve Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester. They are proposing to inject hydrogen into the current natural gas pipe network, creating a gas mixture of approx. 20% hydrogen and 80%

Save up to 10% on your electricity contract prices

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0000

Our most recent NFU Electricity Buying Group came to a close recently. We are just finalising the numbers but so far it seems to be as popular as ever and it won’t be long until we launch our next quarter group. These buying groups are open to NFU Members and here is how you could benefit

Case Study: Helping Clayton Caravan Park get the best possible price for electricity

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 10:00:00 +0000

The Kennedy family have owned Clayton Caravan Park since it opened back in 1966. The park is set amongst 100 acres of the beautiful Eden Valley in North East Fife and has 463 static park homes, including 50 residential homes, eight holiday homes available for hire and 30 seasonal touring pitches.

Extra Energy becomes the next small supplier to cease trading in a tough market

Candace Robb — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 12:10:34 +0000

It’s always sad to see Energy suppliers go under, especially in such a tough climate, and it’s a shame to see that Extra Energy had to cease training on 19 November 2018, leaving its 108,000 customers without a supplier. If you are an Extra Energy customer you may or may not have heard this news

GrowSave’s first soft fruit focused event

Ed Hardy — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 11:52:45 +0000

Over the last 11 years, GrowSave has established itself as a source of knowledge transfer for the horticulture sector, focusing specifically on Protected Edibles (PE) and Protected Ornamentals (PO). Recently, however, we have had the opportunity to include Soft Fruit (SF) in our programme. On

The seasons are changing; so should your climate settings

Ed Hardy — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 10:00:00 +0000

What can you do to ensure your greenhouse is winter ready and you don’t waste vital heat, energy and money? As the days become shorter and the temperature drops, it’s important to make sure your climate settings are correct. Lower temperatures mean greater heat loss. As the temperature

Capacity Market – payments suspended by the EU

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 14:01:12 +0000

A ruling made today by the General Court of the European Union today (15 November 2018) has resulted in payments to generators being stopped with immediate effect. Information available so far suggests that this is more likely to be a ‘pause’ rather than the end of the Capacity Market and a

Renewable Heat Incentive Audits – Frustrating and time consuming

Jon Swain — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 11:11:27 +0000

But we can help! Ofgem is required by law to audit a proportion of RHI accredited systems annually to maintain compliance, these can be conducted entirely randomly or targeted to high-risk systems on the scheme. Regardless of why an audit is conducted, these can be a difficult and frustrating

Being more energy efficient could save £400bn a year

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 09:37:52 +0000

Case Study: Helping MH Poskitt with their RHI and FiT accreditation

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 10:00:00 +0000

MH Poskitt became one of our Energy Account Managed customers after we helped them with their RHI and FiT accreditation. This meant that they can focus on their business while making the most from the output of their Anaerobic Digester and Combined Heat and Power plant. MH Poskitt Limited is a

Getting out of the office

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 10:00:00 +0000

Through our NFU Energy Service, we help members buy, generate and save energy and getting out of the office to meet members in person is an invaluable exercise in finding out what energy challenges they are facing when it comes to running their business. So, Jon Swain and Amanda Cardall are going

TRIADs 2018… get them before they’re gone

Max Knowles — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 11:24:50 +0000

With November now upon us, the TRIAD season for 2018-2019 has begun. This presents an important opportunity to take action to avoid expensive TRIAD charges, and for those with generation capabilities, to earn a respectable payment for exporting at the right times. The key development since the

Coffee... the gift that keeps on giving

Jenni Elves — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 10:00:00 +0000

Many of us love a decent cup of coffee in the morning to get the day started and now for the first time scientists have turned coffee waste into electricity to help farmers in the developing world. Whether it be ‘proper’ coffee (remind me to tell you about my new bean to cup machine!) or the

Case Study: Fullcircle Energy... getting a better price for their exported electricity

Elisa Evans — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:00:00 +0100

When Fullcircle Energy become one of our fully account managed customers we discovered that another broker had negotiated an export contract with a large commission. So we secured an alternative contract, which earnt them an extra £7,000 per year for their exported power. Fullcircle Energy is

Don’t miss your CCL return deadlines

Steven Leil — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 08:57:52 +0100

For farmers and growers in the pig, poultry or horticulture sectors your climate agreement data must be submitted at the start of 2019. The 31 December 2018 marks the end of this reporting period for all participants on the NFU Climate Change Levy Scheme. We will be opening our online

The first ever Green GB week is here

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 13:56:38 +0100

Caring for your business energy at the Care Show

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 13:33:18 +0100

Ashley and I will be attending the Care Show at the NEC, Birmingham on Wednesday and Thursday this week promoting the money and time-saving services FEC Energy can offer to businesses in the care sector. We are always keen to allocate time to go and see our existing clients as well as meet

The best way to circulate air in a glasshouse

Ed Hardy — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:58:50 +0100

On Tuesday 09 October, a group of around 20 growers attended a GrowSave event on Air Movement, hosted by W. D. Smith and Son near Battlesbridge, Essex. The day was split into two sessions: The morning focused on the theory and some of the science behind generating air movement in greenhouses

Sharing is caring

Ed Hardy — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 11:00:00 +0100

Over the past few months, GrowSave, a knowledge sharing project that we deliver on behalf of AHDB Horticulture, has been running a pilot study group implementing Next Generation Growing (NGG) techniques in the UK horticulture sector. The group is a mix of growers of protected edibles, soft fruit

Support Scheme for Renewable Heat scheme opens in Ireland

Jon Swain — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 11:00:01 +0100

It’s been years in the planning but with very little fanfare, last month the long-awaited Support Scheme for Renewable Heat was opened in Ireland. FEC Energy participated in an event publicising the new scheme to horticultural business in and around Dublin on 25 September. The event, which was held

The Medium Combustion Plant Directive – are you affected?

Mike Bond — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 11:40:49 +0100

Since our last blog (16th August 2018), guidance has been published and more information has come to light on the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD). I have spent the last couple of weeks piecing together the many strands, to identify routes to compliance for our customers. The

Ensure fool proof ESOS compliance

Oli Coe — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 10:27:14 +0100

Every four years, larger companies are required to audit and report on their business’s energy usage, under the Energy Savings & Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) run by the Environment Agency. If your business has 250 or more employees or an annual turnover of €50m and balance sheet of € 43m, it

Project to install heat pumps in retirement homes to save 4,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 11:00:00 +0100

Grant scheme for rural business update

Jon Swain — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 11:00:00 +0100

Farmers and growers can now claim grants of between £35,000 and £1 million, for up to 40% of their investment in a battery storage system through the "Improving Farm Productivity" grant. This grant is set to close to new applications on 03 December 2018 and farmers and growers are advised

The benefits of double screens

Ed Hardy — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 11:00:00 +0100

The use of screens in horticulture is fairly common these days. Many different types exist, each designed with a specific function in mind. All screens will reduce light transmission to some extent; the most transparent screens will allow around 90% of the light through, while a blackout screen

Replacing your RHI system

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 11 Sep 2018 11:00:00 +0100

Ofgem has announced a significant change to the RHI scheme to be effective from the 01 October. This change will allow participants to replace accredited heating systems such as boilers, engines and heat pumps so long as they retain the same technology category and participants accept the

Horticulture could benefit from ‘Big Data’

Ed Hardy — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 11:00:00 +0100

‘Big Data’ is a hot topic these days, and it seems, can be applied to any industry. Big Data works on the principle that the more you know about a situation, the more reliably you can gain new insights and make predictions about what will happen in the future. By comparing more data points,

Can farmers help to stop climate change?

Ed Shuldham — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 11:00:00 +0100

We all know that renewable energy; particularly renewable technologies of the sort operated by UK farms, are helping to replace fossil fuel derived energy and so reducing the carbon deposits that we are introducing into our atmosphere. But what can agriculture do to actually reduce the levels of

Ofgem audits: Claiming your withheld payments

Matthew Swain — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 11:00:00 +0100

This is the third and final part of our Ofgem audit blog series in which we will be looking at what happens when your non-compliance review is complete and claiming for historic periodic support payments. You can read part one in this series here and part two here. Closure Notice Received

Ofgem audits: Dealing with non-compliance

Matthew Swain — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 11:00:00 +0100

With Ofgem audits on the increase, many of our clients are receiving notification and this can be daunting. This is the second part of a three-part Ofgem audit series, in which we will cover the non- compliance notice, the submission of evidence and review and amendments of the application. The

Capacity Market could open up to renewables

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 11:00:00 +0100

Ofgem audits: The day of the audit

Matthew Swain — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 11:00:00 +0100

Recently we have experienced increasing volumes of calls related to responses from Ofgem for audits on Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) accredited systems. It can be very stressful for clients who receive these strongly worded formal letters and can pose a daunting task in constructing a response,

Coming to a boiler (and generator) near you….

Jon Swain — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 11:00:00 +0100

...the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) Last week I sat in on a webinar organised by the REA about the soon to be opened permitting application process for equipment that will fall under the MCPD rules. The directive will apply permitting requirements for relevant boiler and generator

Rising market, is it ever coming back down?

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 11:00:00 +0100

Every day I am speaking to customers about prices and they’re often asking whether to hold out to see if the prices come back down or whether signing long-term is the best plan. Looking at the electricity market since this time last year, overall, commodity prices have gone up considerably. With

GrowSave is growing…

Ed Hardy — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 10:33:14 +0100

GrowSave is going to expand the existing programme that it currently provides for Protected Edibles and Protected Ornamentals to incorporate Soft Fruit. The Soft Fruit sector’s first real exposure to GrowSave was the Fruit Focus event on 25 July where GrowSave shared a stand with AHDB. This event

Life after the Feed-in Tariff

Oli Coe — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:50:53 +0100

What’s next? – Future of Small-scale Low-carbon generation consultation The Government recently announced the closure of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme in its entirety in its latest consultation. The present lack of support for small-scale renewables beyond March 2019 (see my previous blog here

The Feed-in Tariff post mortem

Oli Coe — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 11:45:28 +0100

The Government has finally published a long-awaited consultation on the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme. Since the start of the Feed-in Tariff scheme in 2010, the total installed capacity of renewable electricity generation has quadrupled to about 40GW. The FiT scheme has been regarded as a significant

London to be powered by 100% renewable energy

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 11:00:00 +0100

Why using SFR is better than Self Reporting?

Oli Coe — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:00:00 +0100

The Sustainable Fuel Register (SFR), delivered by us (FEC Energy) and Crops for Energy, came into operation in February 2017 and is an industry-led register of non–wood based fuels and provides participants with a simple way of meeting sustainability criteria. Anyone using non-wood fuels in their

With great power comes great… electricity prices

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 10:39:56 +0100

Our very first Half Hourly Buying Group saved participants on average 7.6% on benchmarked renewal offers. On the back of the success of the Non-Half Hourly buying group, which is now in its sixth quarter, we’ve been researching how best to bring buying power savings to our half hourly clients

CHP operators… did you get your new CHPQA Certificate in time?

Andrew Morbey — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 10:20:29 +0100

This year FEC Energy completed a record number of 38 Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA) annual submissions for sites ranging from 50kW to 9,000kW for both natural gas and biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP). We made sure that they all received their CHPQA Certificate before the 30

Put your energy in safe hands

Oli Coe — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 11:00:00 +0100

Energy use for many businesses has a significant impact on the bottom line and an increasing impact indirectly on a company’s reputation within their respective industry. The average SME’s energy use in the UK is around 50,000 kWh per annum, with large businesses often using considerably more, so

Why should you come to the UK AD and World Biogas Expo 2018?

Jon Swain — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 12:14:51 +0100

We’re looking forward to seeing many of our existing customers and hopefully many new ones at the UK AD and World Biogas exhibition next week. The Expo is the world’s biggest anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas event which is taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 11-12th July and our stand number

The who’s who of horticulture met at GreenTech for whats new

Ed Hardy — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 11:00:00 +0100

The who’s who of horticulture came together on 12-14 June in Amsterdam at GreenTech, one of the biggest exhibitions of its kind for the industry. The event is a showcase of the latest developments and innovations in horticultural technology covering all aspects of growing. This year there was a

Brazil’s power grid puts reserves on the bench for World Cup

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 10:00:00 +0100

Pick the right export contract for you

Oli Coe — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 11:00:00 +0100

You have installed your electricity generator and it's producing enough electricity that you are able to export some of it to the grid, but how do you know which export contract would be best for you? Following on from our blog “Maximise your electricity export income” where we explain that,

RiP TRIAD income – long live transparent PPAs

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 15:18:13 +0100

Whilst I am in no way a legal person, it looks like the wind down of TRIAD income for embedded generators is now unstoppable. Read the full story here. TRIADs are a significant income for embedded generators (renewables and fossil fuel such as Combined Heat and Power). So, it is now even more

Take note Biogas RHI participants – you may need to act now before it’s too late

Oli Coe — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:50:27 +0100

The deadline for selecting the uplifted biogas Renewable Heat Incentive tariff is tomorrow, 22 June 2018. If you want to take advantage of this tariff uplift you need reply to Ofgem today! Due to the introduction of new feedstock requirements on the 22 May 2018 for biogas, RHI participants were

Tesla big battery is a big success

Andrew Morbey — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 11:34:08 +0100

It’s been just over six months since the world’s largest battery was installed in my home country, Australia, by Tesla. The lithium-ion battery has an installed capacity of 100MW/129MWh and is connected to the Neoen* Hornsdale Wind Farm in South Australia, consisting of 32 wind turbines. The

Combined Heat and Power could reduce your electricity costs by half

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 15:05:16 +0100

Around 50% of your electricity bill pays for taxes, levies and getting the electricity to you. By generating your own electricity using Combined Heat and Power (CHP) you will import less electricity from the grid and therefore, avoid paying these. What is CHP? As the name suggests it is the

Food for the system

Ed Hardy — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 10:07:30 +0100

I recently went to ‘edie Live’, a two-day show dedicated to energy, sustainability and resource efficiency. The focus this year was on ‘achieving a sustainable future’ and the programme featured a range of exhibitors and seminars. Industry representatives spoke about innovation, collaboration, and

Our biggest group yet

Candace Robb — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 13:54:36 +0100

Our latest NFU Electricity Buying Group has been our best yet! In fact, we have secured over 580 contracts. This is now our biggest buying group and we were able to secure the biggest cost saving for members to date. The more we grow these groups, the stronger the members buying power becomes and

Maximise your electricity export income

Oli Coe — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 12:32:16 +0100

Many renewable electricity generators were installed to take advantage of Government incentives, such as the Feed-In Tariff or the Renewable Obligation Certificates schemes. However, it’s important to not overlook maximising your investment by getting the best price for any electricity exported

UK wind power tops nuclear…

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 31 May 2018 11:00:00 +0100

Plastic not so fantastic

Ed Hardy — Tue, 29 May 2018 11:00:00 +0100

There are few things that irritate me more than non-recyclable plastics. On a daily basis, I seem to be reminded of how wasteful we are as a society. Just by opening the dustbin, at work and at home, my heart sinks to see copious amounts of single-use plastic and unnecessary packaging, particularly

We are hiring… be part of our team!

Tay Bishop — Fri, 25 May 2018 14:44:56 +0100

Our business is continuing to expand and we have a vacancy for a project engineer to help support the technical delivery side of our business. We have a number of engineers already working at FEC Energy, from graduate engineers to the more experienced senior engineers. They come from a range of

RHI regulations to come into force today

Oli Coe — Tue, 22 May 2018 13:28:59 +0100

After long delays, the latest set of Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) reforms have come into effect today (22 May 2018) after successfully making their way through both the House of Commons and the House of Lords earlier this month. The latest regulations introduce a swathe of new features

An enjoyable time at the British Pig and Poultry Fair 2018

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 17 May 2018 13:59:52 +0100

On Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 May I attended the British Pig and Poultry Fair at Stoneleigh Park representing the NFU Energy Service on the NFU’s stand. This was my first time out at an event and with the event being so close to our offices (on the same business park) it was the perfect

Part three: Energy efficiency… the best kept secret to saving money

Jon Swain — Wed, 16 May 2018 11:00:00 +0100

One of the best ways of keeping control of energy costs is to reduce the amount that is used. We have seen many poultry producers take advantage of renewable energy systems in the last few years, but keeping an eye on energy efficiency is still important. One principle to bear in mind is that

Part two: Benefit from renewable energy

Jon Swain — Tue, 15 May 2018 11:00:00 +0100

Renewable energy systems have been widely adopted by the poultry industry through the uptake of Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). This scheme pays owners and operators of accredited renewable systems such as biomass boilers and heat pumps a tariff for the use of the heat. This tariff is set to

Part one: Buying energy for poultry housing

Jon Swain — Mon, 14 May 2018 11:48:11 +0100

Heating and powering poultry houses are a significant expense for producers. The good news is that it’s also a cost that farmers have a great deal of control over. This blog is the first part of our 3 part blog series that looks into the best way to buy energy. The energy market can be incredibly

Put your eggs in one basket and save your bacon…

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 10 May 2018 11:00:00 +0100

…at the British Pig & Poultry Fair Visit us at the NFU stand to see how taking advantage of buying power for contracts and reviewing your Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) compliance can help your business. On the Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 May we will be joining the NFU in

UK powered without coal for three days

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:23:35 +0100

Read our top five renewable energy related news stories from the last couple of weeks. Energy is always in the news in one way or another, from renewable energy technology advancements and the latest from the ‘big six’ energy suppliers to advancements in energy saving and sustainability. In this

25 years in energy and 50 years in farming

Anonymous — Thu, 03 May 2018 11:00:00 +0100

No, I’m not 75 years old! I was born on a farm (yes, I’m 50 in a month or so) and on 4 May 1993, I started work here. At the time, the company was known as Farm Electric Centre and I was only offered a two-year contract. I thought ‘it’ll do for now…’ By the time I started work at the Farm

Learning how to empower plants

Ed Hardy — Tue, 01 May 2018 11:00:00 +0100

UK growers may have heard of Next Generation Growing (NGG), but could be forgiven for not really knowing what it is. In essence, it refers to a set of growing techniques, developed in the Netherlands over the last decade or so, with the aim of empowering the plant – i.e. giving it what it needs (e.

New RHI Regulations progress through the parliamentary process

Jon Swain — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 10:16:10 +0100

On Monday the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) regulation changes, which we have been following in avid interest, were approved by the House of Commons committee. The next stage is now to pass through the House of Lords committee. This morning we have been told that this debate is scheduled for

How can we help you?

Jon Swain — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 10:51:02 +0100

At FEC Energy, we provide services in a whole range of different topic areas and describe our capabilities as ‘anything to do with energy in agriculture’. However, this doesn’t really describe in simple terms how we may be able to help NFU members or others looking to solve their energy-related

Could blockchain change how we buy/sell electricity?

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 11:03:59 +0100

I always like to keep an eye on the future of the energy market and this week I saw that Elexon has published a White Paper exploring how customers could buy their electricity from more than one supplier at the same time. Rather than being locked into buying from a single supplier for typically 12-

NatWest banks on sustainability

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 09:11:49 +0100

Tomatoes grown under LED’s only

Ed Hardy — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 11:48:44 +0100

A Dutch grower, Lans Zeeland, has recently become the first to grow tomatoes in a large greenhouse under a full-LED setup, where growers have previously used HPS lamps or hybrid setups. Although the LED units look similar to SON-T lamps, rather than the red/blue installations often used in trials,

Is your biomass boiler ash a resource or a waste?

Jon Swain — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 09:58:47 +0100

The Wood Heat Association (WHA) Conference often tackles interesting and sometimes overlooked aspects of the use of biomass. This year was no different, as one of the sessions explored whether the ash from biomass combustion was a valuable resource or simply a waste. The conference organisers

How important is waste wood to the UK heat industry?

Jon Swain — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 14:45:50 +0100

One of the more debated topics at this year’s Wood Heat Association (WHA) Conference was the use of waste wood, along with the requirements to remain legal and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) compliant. There have been an estimated 250,000 tonnes used in RHI accredited systems in the last 12 months

Onwards and upwards on my learning curve

Jenni Elves — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:00:00 +0100

After two years as the Office Administrator here at FEC Energy, 2018 marked the start of a new challenge for me as I commenced my new position as Technical Administrator for the On-Site Generation (OSG) team. My previous role meant I was involved with a whole range of administration tasks, such

Will the Beast be back for Easter?

Jodie Hisgett — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 11:00:00 +0100

After ‘Beast from the East’ and ‘Pest from the West’, the weather appears to be settling down. However, forecasters are warning of snow over the Easter weekend which may make things rather difficult for the Easter Bunny! With this being the third cold spell we’ve seen this month, the Easter

This winter’s TRIAD dates are…

Max Knowles — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 11:02:01 +0000

The National Grid has published the TRIAD dates for the 2017/18 winter season and the dates are: 11 December 2017 at 17:00 05 February 2018 at 17:30 26 February 2018 at 18:00 Generators and large users of electricity can earn money from coordinating their electricity use with the

What “hot topics” are affecting electricity generators?

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 09:21:42 +0000

Timing is everything when it comes to maximizing your export income and Max Knowles is part of our team who has a wealth of experience doing just that. In this blog, Max tells us what the “hot topics” for electricity generators are over the next few months… Tell us a bit about yourself and your

Sharing good practise for biomass heating

Jon Swain — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 13:47:51 +0000

Last week, I attended the Wood Heat Association’s annual conference, which this year was held at the base of Box Hill in Surrey. This event is an important part of the association’s calendar, as it provides a time to reflect on the state of the industry and changes in the last 12

LEGO goes green while seaweed stops nuclear power…

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 09:25:00 +0000

Starting life at FEC Energy

Claire Bissell — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 10:00:00 +0000

Ed Shuldham and I started with FEC Energy on 08 January and, at nearly nine weeks in, we now feel settled and a valuable part of the team. As always, there are a lot of challenges when starting a new job and this was no exception! However, the team here couldn’t have been more supportive. Before

The UK’s most important bioenergy conference

Jon Swain — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 14:13:53 +0000

After a year of uncertainty for the bioenergy industry, including further consultation on the second phase of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and rules governing drying, the Wood Heat Association and Renewable Energy Association are holding a conference next week on the 13 and 14 March in Surrey

What “hot topics” are affecting renewable heat generators?

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 10:00:00 +0000

When installing a renewable heat generation project, such as biomass boilers or heat pumps, there are many opportunities where things could go wrong and this doesn’t stop once the system is up and running. Thomas Wilkins, our Renewables Heat Team Engineer, looks after many of our customers’

How effective has the RHI scheme been?

Jon Swain — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 11:22:18 +0000

Hot on the heels of the Government response to the Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI) consultation on drying of materials and the release of the long-awaited draft legislation for the reformed and refocussed scheme, comes a report from the National Audit Office (NAO) on the success and operation of

Winter ends with a flurry for TRIADs

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 11:52:21 +0000

Today is the last day of the TRIAD Season. With the latest TRIAD in history being 15 February in 2016, and daylight extending into teatime, we would normally be thinking it’s all over by now. However, the particularly cold weather this week has turned this on its head and energy suppliers have

Stay ahead of an RHI Audit by making sure you keep biomass fuel records

Jon Swain — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 12:13:13 +0000

Together, with Sustainable Fuel Register (SFR) co-founder, Kevin Lindegaard of Crops for Energy, I recently attended the inaugural meeting of the RHI Industry Forum. This is a new initiative, coordinated by Ofgem, enabling industry bodies to provide feedback on procedures and documents associated

What are the current “hot topics” for large electricity contracts

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 10:22:26 +0000

When you spend more than £20,000 a year on electricity getting the best deal and staying ahead of the paperwork can be a daunting task. Jodie Hisgett our Utilities Management Consultant looks after all our customers who are in this situation and we would like to introduce her to you and find

Producing energy on Mars

Andrew Morbey — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 14:29:17 +0000

As Elon Musk’s Space X launched its Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time a few weeks ago with the aim to send a Tesla car and mannequin towards Mars’ orbit, we ask could life on Mars be getting closer? Space X is aiming to send the first humans to Mars by 2024; one of the main problems to

Environment Agency plans to crack down on CCL scheme members compliance

Steven Leil — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 10:55:39 +0000

The Environment Agency (EA) has announced plans to audit facilities that are covered by Climate Change Agreements (CCAs). The aim of an audit is to satisfy the EA that Climate Change Levy Scheme (CCL) members remain compliant with their CCAs and have auditable records to support the data they

Belgian grower brings the taste of summer early

Ed Hardy — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 10:03:05 +0000

A Belgian strawberry grower, Welroy Fruit, has been able to produce the Sonata strawberry variety earlier than many competitors, due in part to the use of LED lighting. With the year barely a month old, the relatively cold temperatures and short days mean summer still feels a long way off

Capacity Market clears at its lowest ever rates

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 10:51:16 +0000

A good Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and understanding of operating costs is even more essential for natural gas CHP after the Capacity Market (CM) auction cleared at it’s lowest ever rates this month. There were two auctions: T-1 for Oct18-Sept19 Cleared at £6.00/kW Previous low £6.

Don’t get caught out by ESOS

Oli Coe — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 10:00:00 +0000

If you have more than 250 UK employees or an annual turnover exceeding €50 million and a balance sheet total exceeding €43 million it is time to start planning how you will comply with phase 2 of the Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) regulations. Fines for non-compliance can be up to £90,

Join us at Energy Now Expo

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 10:00:00 +0000

As the renewable energy sector becomes ever more mainstream, farmers and landowners can engage with industry experts on the latest renewable energy opportunities available, together with the best practices in energy generation and efficiency, at the Energy Now Expo in Telford, Shropshire

Getting the humidity basics right first

Ed Hardy — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 10:00:00 +0000

On Wednesday 24 January, hosted by Bordon Hill Nurseries, GrowSave presented a workshop on glasshouse humidity control to a group of 18 growers. The focus was very much on the fundamentals, with the workshop targeting those who would like to develop their understanding of some of the science and

UK wood pellet supply – shortage of fibre leads to restricted supplies and price hikes

Jon Swain — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 10:06:56 +0000

If you own a wood pellet boiler, you are likely to have run into problems finding an adequate supply of wood pellets at a decent price this winter. The reason for this is that the unseasonably warm winter across Europe has restricted timber harvesting. This has had a knock-on effect, causing the

RHI eligible heat use consultation… a lobbying success

Oli Coe — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 11:33:36 +0000

In response to Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI) Consultation, the Government has decided NOT to remove all drying practices as eligible heat uses. Although it will be tightening up the rules of the RHI scheme and drying wood for fuel as well as drying waste WILL be removed. Back in September

Hope fades for the TRIAD rescue plan

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 10:00:00 +0000

We have previously written about the legal challenge raised to try and stop the loss of TRIAD income to embedded generators. Well, the first results have just come out … The first ‘shot’ was to stop the change coming into effect from 01 April 2018, whilst the case in its entirety is decided. The

Freezing at LAMMA…

Candace Robb — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 11:00:00 +0000

We were invited to join the NFU and NFU Mutual on their stand at LAMMA, which was held this year in Peterborough, on the 17 and 18 January. We went along to represent our NFU Energy Service, in order to answer any member’s energy-related questions. Having previously attended the Farm Business

Important industry updates that you need to know

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 10:00:00 +0000

From 1 April 2018, the following important industry changes are coming into effect: DCP 161 Until now, there is no penalty for any half-hourly (HH) meters exceeding the agreed level of available capacity (kVA). DCP 161 will make sure that any half-hourly meter is billed correctly for its kVA

Government launches 25-year environment plan

Jon Swain — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 10:01:30 +0000

Last week, the Government launched their 25 Year Environment Plan. Although the plan does mainly focus on reducing plastic waste, it also promises to deal with issues such as land use, forestry, waste and air pollution. During a keynote speech on the 11 January, Prime Minister Theresa May and

Big energy users take the risk

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 10:02:43 +0000

Big energy users can save money by putting their electricity contracts out to tender. Yes, this can sound daunting, but if your business is spending more than £15,000 on electricity a year then you could save by doing so. We are here to help you; in fact, we tender hundreds of contracts every

The Environment Agency’s proposed Enforcement and Sanctions Policy

Steven Leil — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 12:28:26 +0000

Currently, the Environment Agency (EA) has two separate policies in place, the Enforcement and Sanctions Statement (ESS) and the Enforcement and Sanctions Guidance (ESG), which will be combined and shortened into a single new Enforcement and Sanctions Policy (ESP). The climate change schemes

2017 the UK’s greenest year for electricity… ever

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 09:27:00 +0000

National Grid figures recently revealed that 2017 was the ‘greenest year ever’ in terms of electricity generation in the UK. The move towards renewables, with record outputs for solar, wind and hydropower, caused record low levels of carbon pollution. In fact, 13 ‘green’ energy records were set for

The UK’s only Renewable Energy Event for the Agricultural Sector RETURNS!

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 09:00:00 +0000

The Energy Now Expo will be returning to Telford, Shropshire, on 7 and 8 February 2018 for its ninth year, and farmers and landowners across the UK are being urged to save the date. The annual event provides a chance to explore the opportunities available in all areas of on-farm renewables

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 09:00:00 +0000

As 2017 draws to a close, we would like to thank all our customers, friends and colleagues. It's been a great year and we look forward to working with you in 2018. Our office will close at 3.00pm on Friday 22 December 2017 and will reopen on Tuesday 02 January 2018 at 9.00am. Its been a

FEC Energy celebrated 2017 in style

Jenny Beynon — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 10:09:42 +0000

Fifty years ago, on the 05 July 1967, the Queen Mother opened our original office here at Stoneleigh Park during the Royal Show. To celebrate our 50th Anniversary, we took part in various fundraising activities throughout the year, raising £1,081 for the mental health charity Mind! Our

GrowSave goes to Scotland

Jon Swain — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 16:23:40 +0000

It was a close-run thing… heavy snowfall on Sunday night in the Midlands nearly prevented the delivery of the latest GrowSave* event in St Andrews, Scotland. Fortunately, however, the roads cleared in time and all the speakers made it for Tuesday’s event. Local growers attended to hear the latest

Battery storage made less attractive by Capacity Market

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 16:19:18 +0000

The Capacity Market (CM) was seen as a good/stable income stream for grid-scale battery projects worth around £20k per MW p.a. However, a recent decision by the Government has just blown a hole in potential new capacity market contracts! The CM is designed to provide an insurance policy against

A different alternative to wasting your generated electricity

Oli Coe — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 09:00:00 +0000

You’ve got a generating station - perhaps it’s renewable (such as wind or solar) or perhaps it’s a battery bank - but, you have a constrained network connection meaning you can’t always export everything that you generate. This is a fairly common technical challenge faced by many sites, often

CCL Scheme members... will you reach your next target?

Steven Leil — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 14:30:54 +0000

The end of December marks the half-way point of your CCL “Target Period 3”. We will be opening our online CCL data return on 01 January 2018 to allow operators the chance to submit 2017 energy and production data. Reporting in January 2018 isn’t compulsory, however, we encourage you to complete a

No degression for January 2018

Tay Bishop — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 15:01:24 +0000

As widely expected, the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has announced this morning that there will not be any RHI degression for any of the eligible technologies coming into effect on 01 January 2018. Therefore the current tariffs will be applicable until 31 March 2018

Environment Agency to review its environmental permit charges

Jon Swain — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 15:23:40 +0000

Launched today, by the Environment Agency, is a review of its charging structure for environmental permits. In their words: “This consultation is seeking your views on the charge proposals which we have developed to take effect in England in April 2018. The new charge

Looking after your biomass boiler

Ed Hardy — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 10:58:06 +0000

The latest GrowSave* event focused on how operators of biomass boilers can ensure they are getting the most out of their equipment. Many growers and businesses have installed biomass boilers in recent years, taking advantage of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. However, those who operate

PPA stands for Painful Purchase Agreement

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 09:00:00 +0000

Do you know… How much you are really paying your energy advisor/broker? What your contractual commitments are to your broker and energy supplier? It can be well worth checking. A customer with an Anaerobic Digester (AD) recently approached us for help with his Power Purchase

New grant for woodland creation… don’t miss out!

Jon Swain — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 09:23:45 +0000

In addition to the Farm Productivity Grant and the Improving Agri-Food business grants announced earlier this month, there is also another grant scheme available under the Rural Development Programme for England banner of improving countryside productivity. This grant is available to help create

Growers growing with a difference

Ed Hardy — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 11:48:51 +0000

On 7 November, GrowSave kicked off an exciting, new study group project, focusing on Next Generation Growing (NGG). The pilot programme aims to take NGG principles and techniques, which have been established in the Netherlands, and help a select group of UK growers implement them at their nurseries

Electricity generation from coal is decreasing

Andrew Morbey — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 10:01:39 +0000

You may have read a number of news articles recently stating that electricity generation from coal is decreasing in the UK. It’s true… in the second quarter of 2017 (shown in the graph below as 2017 Q2) just 2.0% of electricity was generated from coal, the equivalent of 1.5TWh. Compared to the

Three Anaerobic Digesters and a saw mill…

Elisa Evans — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 10:30:10 +0000

As part of our Energy Account Management (EAM) service, our engineers will visit customer’s sites. As the Account Manager for our portfolio of Anaerobic Digester (AD) clients, it is always good to get to meet my customers face to face after only really speaking to them either on the phone or via

Save up to 90% on Climate Change Levy tax

Steven Leil — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 09:00:00 +0000

With the upcoming closure of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (known as the CRC) in April 2019, almost every business will see a significant increase to their energy costs. As the government will lose revenue from one scheme, it was decided an increase in Climate Change Levy

Government launches two new grant schemes for rural business

Jon Swain — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:25:56 +0000

Two new grant funds were launched yesterday from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), seeking to help support agricultural and rural business under the Countryside Productivity scheme. The first is the Improving Farm Productivity grant, which has a deadline of the 3 December 2018

ASC excess charges increase in April 2018

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 10:30:00 +0100

From April 2018 changes are coming in from your distributor for Available Supply Capacity (ASC) charges. Anytime you exceed your agreed capacity, your excess will be billed on much higher rates than those you’ve agreed. So it’s time to start thinking about making the necessary changes if you think

Increases to unidentified gas charges

Max Knowles — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 10:00:00 +0100

As gas is transported across the UK, an amount is inevitably lost due to issues such as unregistered meters, pipe leaks and theft of gas by some end users. The cost of this gas is proportionately recovered by charging set rates to all users of gas, known as unidentified gas charges. Recent

Make sure you don’t lose out over the TRIAD season

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 10:24:10 +0100

The TRIAD season is almost upon us once again. It’s time for another look at the outcomes of previous seasons which assist you in either avoiding TRIAD demand periods if you import electricity or hitting them if you export electricity. For generators exporting electricity, we had the

Almost time for ESOS round two

Oli Coe — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 09:47:33 +0100

The deadline for the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) phase two is 5 December 2019. The scheme was introduced by the Government in 2015 in response to a European Union directive on energy reporting. The aim of the scheme is to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions by making it compulsory for

Update on the RHI consultation

Jon Swain — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 10:00:00 +0100

Last week the consultation regarding some of the eligible heat uses within the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) closed to respondents. The department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will now consider the responses against their requirements. They will then make a decision

The greenest summer on record

Jon Swain — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 10:00:00 +0100

This summer has been labelled as the “greenest” on record for energy by the National Grid because 52% of the UK’s electricity requirement was met by low carbon sources, the highest percentage yet, and a great achievement considering that four years ago it was only 35%. The increase is a result

Hope remains for Embedded Generators TRIAD income… just

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 14:43:42 +0100

Back in March this year OFGEM announced their final decision to remove (as good as) TRIAD income for embedded generators. I wrote a blog about it, which you can read here. Well, it seems there is a last minute attempt to reverse this decision in the form of a Judicial Review. Simplistically,

Energy storage on mountains and abandoned mines

Andrew Morbey — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 10:00:00 +0100

With renewable energy and energy storage becoming increasingly researched and debated throughout the world, engineers and researchers are coming up with unique ways for storing this energy. One such way is the process known as Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) and all it requires is a pump, a

Did you, or do you have a maximum demand meter?

Candace Robb — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 10:00:00 +0100

Are you now paying significantly more than you used to and have charges appear on your bill that you don’t recognise? I regularly find that our customers who were affected by the P272 are struggling to understand what this really means for them in terms of their electricity contracts. I would

Capacity Market: high costs for users, more income for generators

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 10:00:00 +0100

Winter is fast approaching, whether we are ready or not. The onset of winter means that business electricity prices will rise and this year we will also need to be prepared for the introduction of the Capacity Market (CM) and the additional costs that go with it. What is the Capacity Market?

An ITAR update from Ofgem

Andrew Morbey — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 09:00:00 +0100

Recently, Ofgem hosted a Webinar on ‘Guidance on how to produce an Independent Technical Assurance Report’ aimed at those who own a generation station. Two of our engineers Andrew and Oli, took part in the Webinar and learned key points that make producing a quality ITAR important: Your ROC

Understanding energy storage

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 14:21:47 +0100

On 20 September, around 40 delegates joined us for an afternoon of presentations on the topic of energy storage. The event was organised by GrowSave, a knowledge sharing project, delivered by FEC Energy on behalf of AHDB Horticulture. Delegates heard how energy storage methods could benefit them,

Ten years of helping horticulture save energy

Chris Plackett — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 08:59:42 +0100

Ten years ago, and just like today, energy saving was vitally important for successful greenhouse businesses. However, in addition to the problem of volatile and increasing energy costs, growers were starting to face new challenges, such as energy saving legislation and consumers who want produce

Energy storage is more than just batteries

Ed Hardy — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 13:59:17 +0100

Mention energy storage and many people will first think of batteries. While this is part of the story, electricity is just one form of energy. Growers may be more familiar with heat released through the combustion of fuel in a boiler or engine, for example. Heat too can be stored, often as hot

Join us for tea, cake and energy advice!

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 10:00:00 +0100

We are opening our office at Stoneleigh park to you on the 26th September. If you would like any help regarding energy for your business, come and meet see us. How FEC Energy can help you... FEC Energy is one of the UK's leading energy consultancies. We can help you with

NFU members Buying Groups start to pay off

Paul Jesson — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 10:00:00 +0100

For the second quarter in a row, we have managed to secure significant discounts on electricity contracts for a buying group made up of NFU members. Currently, the groups are for Non-Half Hourly metered supplies and we are targeting savings of up to 10% on the best prices otherwise available

Energy crops for biofuel production

Jon Swain — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 10:00:00 +0100

A new report by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) has called for a greater focus on second generation biofuel production, in order to develop this industry in the UK and help meet climate change targets. RAE makes the following policy recommendations: Incentivise the

RHI regulations brought forward

Tay Bishop — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 16:17:59 +0100

The long anticipated RHI regulations are to come into effect on 20 September. The reforms were laid before parliament yesterday giving the minimum 20-day notice. This has the greatest impact for biomass boilers where the tariffs for small, medium and large biomass will all align to one new tariff.

Javier heads off into the sunset

Javier Cerrada — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:00:00 +0100

On the 7 October, I would have celebrated my third anniversary here at FEC Energy. However, Thursday (31 August) is my last day as I have been fortunate to get a job in my native country of Spain. The last three years have passed very quickly. When I started at FEC Energy I had just finished a

FEC Energy joins the NFU

Chris Plackett — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 11:59:34 +0100

This week has seen changes here at FEC Energy that brings positive news for both our clients and staff alike. We have sold the FEC Energy Ltd business to the National Farmers Union (NFU) in a strategic move which recognises the increasing involvement of farmers in the energy business. Up to now,

Irish Minister Denis Naughten proposals regarding the Irish RHI

Oli Coe — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 10:59:25 +0100

I recently attended the Energy in Agriculture Event, held in County Tipperary, Ireland. During the event, it was expected that an announcement regarding the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive would be made. Denis Naughten , the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and

Waste: an inevitable by-product of living or a useful resource?

Ed Hardy — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 10:00:00 +0100

Even in these modern times, waste remains a part of our daily lives. From organic matter to petroleum-based plastic, waste comes in many forms. Recycling is a higher priority these days than at any time in the past, but doing so is not always a cost-effective option. In such cases, other methods of

FEC Energy head to Ireland’s biggest energy event

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:00:00 +0100

On the 22 August Oli Coe, our senior engineer, will be attending the Energy in Agriculture event in Co.Tipperary, Ireland. This event is Ireland’s largest energy event for the farming community which highlights opportunities for farmers with regards to renewable energy and how they can adopt a

Are you missing out on CCL relief?

Javier Cerrada — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 09:15:33 +0100

I recently visited a greenhouse facility to help a customer with their compliance for the NFU Climate Change Levy (CCL) scheme. The Climate Change Levy is a tax charged on gas, electricity, LPG, coal and coke used by businesses in the UK. There is a tax relief available for businesses in a number

Phone Service Update

test — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 14:00:25 +0100

Good news our telephone system is now back to normal. We apologise for any inconvenience this disruption may have caused.

Does your store have a sense of smell?

Ed Hardy — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 10:00:00 +0100

Over the last couple of years, we have been involved with a research project that focuses on improving storage conditions for potatoes in terms of energy use and the evenness of airflow within the crop for the distribution of anti-sprouting agents. With this in mind, we attended the Postharvest

Are you a Renewables Obligation generator... do you need an ITAR?

Andrew Morbey — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 10:00:00 +0100

If you applied to the Renewable Obligation (RO) scheme before it closed recently, or are trying to achieve RO accreditation you may require an Independent Technical Assurance Report (ITAR). The ITAR is required at Ofgem discretion, but usually for sites where evidence of generation is limited. This

Why it pays to pay attention...

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 10:00:00 +0100

Over the past six months, we’ve had an influx of calls through our NFU Energy Service helpline from members that have found themselves with an unfavourable verbal contract without ever putting pen to paper. Sadly, this is becoming a regular occurrence and by the time the customer gets in touch with

More electric cars – good for renewables…

Andrew Kneeshaw — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 10:00:00 +0100

I recently read some interesting news about electric cars and their relentless takeover of our roads. Dutch Bank ING reckons that within two decades all cars sold will be electric. Also, National Grid has predicted that by 2030, which is only 13 years away, peak electricity demand from charging

A cap on energy rates… not much use for our customers.

Andrew Kneeshaw — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:17:38 +0100

On 9th May, The Daily Mail headlined “£100 off your energy bill”, and had the nation smiling. However, for most of our customers, the truth is, it will bring no saving at all and could in fact push costs higher. This headline grabbing Conservative policy is aimed at controlling the

Energy generators… are you paying for convenience?

Oli Coe — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 10:00:00 +0100

Oli Coe from FEC Energy looks at this diverse topic. Timing is everything when it comes to maximising your export income, however selling energy can be a daunting task. We highly recommend that you check the small print on your Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) contract to ensure you are on the

Understanding energy storage for UK growers

Jon Swain — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 10:00:00 +0100

There is a huge amount of interest in energy storage within UK agriculture and horticulture and how this may be of benefit to them financially, as well as in terms of their energy supply. Energy storage encompasses techniques such as hot water accumulator stores attached to traditional gas boilers

What is a NegaWatt anyway?

Jon Swain — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 13:38:42 +0100

A shake up of the rules surrounding how electricity is traded is set to be announced today by Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark. These rule changes will free up some of the more rigid means of trading which were designed for a grid system that had significantly less flexibility than we are

Energy storage – the silent revolution?

Jon Swain — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 12:10:12 +0100

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark will announce later on today that £246 million is being earmarked for investment in battery storage technology over 4 years. The ‘Faraday Challenge’ is hoped to deliver a programme that will speed up research, innovation and scale up of battery technology.

How do you like your potatoes? Baked, mashed, boiled, electronic?

Ed Hardy — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 11:06:05 +0100

Over the last couple of years, I have been involved with an Innovate UK (IUK) funded research project focusing on improving storage conditions for potatoes. The fundamental aim is to improve the evenness of airflow in potato stores, allowing anti-sprouting agents to be distributed more evenly

Heating of the Olympic village

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 09:15:49 +0100

I recently visited the Olympic Park in Stratford, London to view their district heating system, which consists of a biomass boiler, four gas boilers and three gas Combined Heat and Power units. The heat produced by the heating system is used to heat approximately 50 buildings across the site,

Five go cycling in the Netherlands

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 08:51:23 +0100

When our friends at Jules Energy invited us on their cycling tour of the Netherlands we jumped at the chance send a team. Jules Energy is an important partner of FEC Energy. They are the Dutch software developers who created the trading platform, which allows us to easily and effectively

What’s new at ADBA’s AD & Biogas event 2017

Andrew Morbey — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 08:29:26 +0100

Last week, Oli, Elham and I went to the UK Anaerobic Digester & Biogas and World Biogas Expo at the NEC. There were approximately 190 businesses displaying their products and services, as well as over 100 speakers, whose presentations ranged from research, current and future technologies to how

Celebrating 50 years

Jenny Beynon — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:15:13 +0100

On Saturday (8 July) we celebrated FEC Energy's 50th Anniversary with a 50-mile bike ride around Warwickshire and BBQ in the evening where our talented musicians and singers performed live! Through these events, along with the others planned throughout the year, we are raising money for the

FEC Energy bakes off for charity

Jenny Beynon — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 10:48:44 +0100

Fifty years ago today the Queen Mother opened our original office here at Stoneleigh Park during the Royal Show 1967. To celebrate our 50th Anniversary colleagues are taking part in various fundraising activities throughout the year and one of these was our very own Bake-Off. The ‘

RHI reforms - Governmental changes update

Jon Swain — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 10:47:28 +0100

The Renewable Heat Incentive reforms that were originally laid before parliament and then withdrawn in mid-March have not yet been re-laid and latest news suggests that this may not be until after the summer recess. The Governmental changes mean that parliamentary clearance needs to be

LEDs aren’t that popular… yet

Ed Hardy — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 15:26:59 +0100

Evidence suggests that LED lights, which are well matched to plant requirement, can stimulate greater plant growth and crop yield than conventional assimilation lighting (e.g. high-pressure sodium). In fact, when used in underground or vertical farms, LED’s can even be used to substitute

Fixed costs go up for some grain producers

Andrew Kneeshaw — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 14:46:49 +0100

I was on a site visit with a grain producer last week, helping him to understand why his electricity bill had gone up dramatically during the winter. He’d thought he’d be using more energy during this period, when in fact, his fixed charges had gone up dramatically under a recent regulatory

Maximise TRIAD income while you can

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 15:05:06 +0100

OFGEM have confirmed their ‘minded to’ decision to cut TRIAD income for embedded generators. It is still possible that Government will reject OFGEM’s proposal, but the chances of that are pretty slim. In a nutshell, their proposal is to start to reduce TRIAD payments for ‘embedded’ generators

Shaping electricity

Andrew Kneeshaw — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 16:32:35 +0100

I recently visited a manufacturer of battery and power control electronics, located in Sheffield, to take a look at the technology they are using to control electricity demand at the user level. ‘Powerstar’ make equipment that incorporates a modest capacity of battery power to shape

The summer of uncertainty…

Jon Swain — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 12:22:30 +0100

So far, it’s shaping up to be an unpredictable summer. The political landscape has altered somewhat from what we have been used to, the weather can’t seem to make up its mind what to do, the grid electricity carbon emissions have fallen to their lowest ever level and on top of all this off, we

Cycling for Mind – 50 miles around Warwickshire via Amsterdam

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:49:38 +0100

On the 8th July, some of us will be cycling 50 miles around Warwickshire, starting and finishing at Stoneleigh Park, to raise money for Mind - all part of our 50th anniversary fundraising activities (it’s quick and easy to support us by donating through our Just Giving page). A couple of weeks

Solar power output reaches an all-time high

Paul Jesson — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 11:50:25 +0100

A couple of weeks ago, we were all enjoying the lovely warm English sunshine although, it’s hard to remember now after the recent inclement weather. While we were all baking on Friday 26 May 2017, the UK’s solar (PV) output quietly broke its previous record, peaking at 8.84GW at 13:00, and meeting

Medium sized biomass RHI tariffs reduce

Tay Bishop — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 12:26:48 +0100

The Department of BEIS has just announced RHI degressions, effective from 1st July 2017, for biomass, biomethane and biogas. As expected, the tariff for medium sized biomass has been reduced by 10%. The forecast shows that this technology has exceeded its budget and, as the whole scheme is

Not all biomass fuel is wood

Jon Swain — Tue, 30 May 2017 09:25:40 +0100

It is difficult to read anything about renewable heat without seeing the word ‘biomass’ inextricably linked with wood. In fact, they are often used interchangeably: “I have a biomass boiler”, “oh, so you heat with wood” etc. The definition of biomass encompasses sources of fuel that are much

Making friends over the handle bars

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:50:17 +0100

An intrepid group of FEC Energy staff set off from Amsterdam today, to cycle 300km across the Netherlands, as part of an event organised by one of our close trading partners. Elisa, Jon, Oli, Mick and Jon’s brother, Matthew, all signed up to take part the “Jules Energy and Friends Cycling

Medium biomass RHI degressions highly likely

Thomas Wilkins — Wed, 10 May 2017 13:38:27 +0100

BEIS has confirmed that the RHI regulatory reforms were not laid before Parliament and that the scheme will continue in its current form for now. This means that the 1st July 2017 degression assessment will be based on the January 2017 budget figures. The latest monthly forecast figures show

Continuous electrical supply from renewable technologies

Thomas Wilkins — Fri, 05 May 2017 15:16:30 +0100

One of the biggest problems with electrical renewable energy generation is the fluctuations in power that can be produced. Solar panels only really produce any meaningful power during the day, when it is sunny, and wind turbines only when the wind is blowing within the set wind-speed parameters.

Opportunities for renewable heating

Ed Hardy — Wed, 03 May 2017 15:24:35 +0100

AHDB GrowSave is inviting growers to an event to hear more about the current opportunities for converting to renewable heating systems in protected cropping, or adding to and expanding their existing renewable systems. The event, which will take place on the 16th May, will discuss how the

Thrown in at the deep end

Andrew Morbey — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 09:00:31 +0100

I recently started as a Graduate Engineer at FEC Energy and I have been quickly learning the ropes. As a baptism of fire, Tim Pratt took me with him on his trip to Kent earlier this month and it was a great, if steep, learning curve. The first visit was with Rainbow UK to discuss how we can help

RHI Reforms - emergency legislation

Tay Bishop — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 10:59:31 +0100

We have received an update on the reforms from Renewable Energy Association in light of the general election announcement. BEIS aims to lay emergency legislation before parliament to extend degression trigger lines and update Microgeneration Certification Scheme standards on heat pumps

Great Britain goes coal free for a day

Oli Coe — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 09:15:29 +0100

Friday 21st April 2017 was the first 24-hour period, since the industrial revolution, that Great Britain went without the need to run its coal-fired power stations. This landmark was achieved thanks to the typically lower demand on Fridays and the recent increase in renewable energy from wind

Energy efficiency… the hidden money saver

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 10:03:38 +0100

Strawson Limited, a vegetable producer in Nottinghamshire, wanted to reduce energy cost as an overhead to the business and improve their understanding of energy consumption. They used us to carry out an on-site energy efficiency audit through E.ON, their energy supplier. The site has a

Chris Plackett becomes our MD

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 11:03:22 +0100

Chris Plackett is taking over as Managing Director from Andrew Kneeshaw who, after 17 years in the post, is stepping down to take a general directorial role prior to his retirement later this year. Andrew says, “I’ve worked with Chris for over 20 years, and together we’ve structured a

RHI reforms - parliamentary process delayed

Tay Bishop — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 14:21:00 +0100

The Renewable Energy Association has just announced that the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive regulatory reforms have been withdrawn from parliament due to technical issues. The reforms are expected to be re-laid before parliament as soon as possible, after the Easter recess. Parliamentary

Helping you buy, generate and save energy

Paul Jesson — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 16:02:29 +0100

Earlier in March, I attended the annual conference of the National Association of Group Secretaries for the NFU. The event took place over three days in Newcastle, Northern Ireland. It was a great opportunity to meet with representatives of the NFU and discuss ways in which we could jointly

RHI reforms - our answers to FAQs

Tay Bishop — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 09:07:11 +0100

The recent RHI degression announcement has thrown yet more uncertainty on the future on the RHI scheme. While the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) continue to keep business as usual, there are many questions erupting as to what, when and how the RHI reforms will happen

Are you getting the most from your biomass boilers?

Jon Swain — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 13:11:26 +0000

Edward Backhouse of C.S. Backhouse Ltd, growers of potatoes and arable crops (including oil seed rape and wheat) in Yorkshire, had two 500kW straw burning biomass boilers installed at two sites in order to provide grain drying as well as heating for the farm buildings, including the farmhouse.

Glasshouse roofs used to heat underneath

Ed Hardy — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 09:32:47 +0000

Growers could use their glasshouses to generate electricity through the use of solar glass. Translucent solar panels have been developed by Soliculture, an American start-up company, specifically for the greenhouse sector. Their panels convert some of the sunlight into electricity, while still

RHI Reforms - laid before parliament

Tay Bishop — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 15:59:27 +0000

The Wood Heat Association (WHA) has just confirmed that the Renewable Heat Incentive Reforms have now been laid before parliament. The parliamentary process is likely to take 6-8 weeks, and the regulations will come into force one day after approval has been granted. Participants and applicants

Are you on out of contract rates?

Jenny Beynon — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 09:21:59 +0000

Eric Brown, who farms a moderate sized beef herd in Devon, recently contacted us to see if he could save money on his energy contracts for the three electricity supplies on his farm, He decided to give the service a try, even though he was slightly sceptical about speaking to a broker, as

Embedded generators – TRIAD income to be slashed

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 14:23:29 +0000

We are finally seeing what is thought to be the ‘end result’ from OFGEM’s review of TRIAD income for embedded generators and it doesn’t look very good. OFGEM have issued their ‘minded to’ paper or, in other words, ‘what we plan to do’. It is not yet cast in stone, but the writing is clearly on

Easy RHI compliance for non-wood fuels

Jenny Beynon — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 15:42:38 +0000

The Sustainable Fuel Register (SFR) is now live and officially able to accept registrations! The SFR is an easy route to registering your non-wood fuels in order to meet Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) sustainability criteria, ultimately saving you time, money and improving your route to market.

Why should on-farm generators choose a ‘managed contract’ to sell their power?

Andrew Kneeshaw — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 09:36:05 +0000

Do you generate energy and wonder if you are getting the best price for it? The answer is most likely to be ‘no’ if you are selling via a simple Power Purchase Agreement; especially if you just opted to go with your existing import supply provider without shopping around. A ‘managed’ power sales

Jon speaks to BBC Radio Scotland

Jon Swain — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 11:24:24 +0000

Jon Swain recently spoke to BBC Radio Scotland’s Out of Doors programme with Amanda Calvert, an independent wood fuel consultant, about sustainability and biomass fuels. Hear what they had to say below:

Water: Just another throw-away commodity?

Ed Hardy — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 10:16:09 +0000

During a recent GrowSave study tour to Belgium and the Netherlands, I learnt how irrigation practices differ between UK growers and our European neighbours. Changes to legislation in the Netherlands have meant growers have had to alter their approach to irrigation and water recycling. For

UK growers could learn a lot from European neighbours

Ed Hardy — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 09:22:19 +0000

In Belgium and the Netherlands horticulture is big business and the facilities tend to be more high-tech than their UK counterparts. During a recent GrowSave study tour I saw some of the advanced technology and practices used by growers, such as LED lighting, diffuse glass and bio-beds for water

RHI tariff degression announcement for April 2017

Tay Bishop — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 15:29:08 +0000

The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has today announced tariff degressions for the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which will come into effect on 1st April 2017. As in previous quarters, tariffs have been reduced for small biomass, biomethane and all

Do you grow, sell or burn non-wood fuels?

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 14:50:54 +0000

If you grow, sell or burn non-wood fuels, then the Sustainable Fuel Register (SFR) is going to make your fuel sustainability reporting a lot simpler. The SFR is an easy route to registering your non-wood fuels to meet RHI sustainability criteria, ultimately saving you time, money and improving

Carbon Dioxide capture and utilisation

Ed Hardy — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 15:55:42 +0000

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has been recently developed to help reduce the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) entering the atmosphere, where it contributes towards the greenhouse effect and climate change. CCS technology can capture up to 90% of CO2 emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels in

FEC Energy turns 50

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 09:20:13 +0000

This year, FEC Energy is celebrating its 50th anniversary and we intend to make it our biggest and best year yet. Back on the 5th July 1967, at the Royal Show, Stoneleigh, the Queen Mother came to open our original office. At that time, the business was called the Farm Electric Centre.

Easy sustainability reporting for non-wood biomass

Tay Bishop — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 10:08:30 +0000

As a result of greater scrutiny from environmental non-governmental organisations, it has become a necessity for the bioenergy industry to demonstrate that biomass fuel is obtained from sustainable and legal sources and does not have a harmful environmental impact. The Sustainable Fuel Register

The greenest Christmas Day on record

Andrew Kneeshaw — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 15:47:57 +0000

It might not have been a white Christmas this year, but it certainly was a green one. According to Drax power group, renewable energy sources contributed 40% of electricity generated on Christmas Day. This made it the greenest on record for energy generation, beating Christmas Day 2015 where 25% of

Stop Press: Singing live on the radio!

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 10:10:40 +0000

We were live on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire radio at 1.30 and 2.30pm on Wednesday 22nd December! They saw our story behind our singing Christmas card and wanted to come and find out more about FEC Energy and the making of the video. We also performed a live acoustic version of Jingle Bells

2020 is fast approaching!

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 11:28:15 +0000

In the world of energy and climate change, 2020 marks a significant milestone. In accordance with the Renewable Energy Directive, the UK is mandated to produce 15% of its energy from renewable sources. With a starting point of 1.3% in 2005, one of the lowest in the EU, that target might have seemed

What the consultation means for biomass boilers and biomass CHP

Jon Swain — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 12:02:58 +0000

Yesterday’s announcement of the outcomes of the RHI consultation has delivered some clarity on the intentions to continue supporting biomass boilers and biomass CHP. Biomass boilers Simply put, the intention is that there will not be boiler size dependent tariff payments. There will still be

RHI reforms - what it means for tariffs and renewable heat

Jon Swain — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 14:46:42 +0000

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has just released the results of the consultation into RHI reforms. While we take time to digest all 161 pages, a summary of the main points is below. The consultation proposed several changes to the existing non-domestic RHI scheme,

‘Tis the season… for Triads!

Max Knowles — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 15:27:27 +0000

When temperatures took a plunge recently, we could safely say that it’s definitely Triad season. The National Grid uses Triads to incentivise electricity generators to give back to the grid during peak usage times. Anyone with the capability to generate power, that is exporting to the grid during

Join us at Energy Now

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:25:27 +0000

We will be at Energy Now Expo on the 8th and 9th February 2017, at Telford International Centre. Come and see us on the NFU Energy Service stand number 105. Andrew Kneeshaw and Jon Swain, along with some other members of the team, will be on hand to answer all your energy questions, whether it’s

The power of people

Andrew Kneeshaw — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 16:18:27 +0000

We have launched our musical video Christmas card, after discovering that a third of our staff are accomplished (well, maybe pretty good) musicians. With 26 people in a business, you don’t often find that you have a music producer, cellist, violinist, three guitarists, a saxophonist, bass player

January 2017 RHI degression announced

Tay Bishop — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 09:56:54 +0000

Small, medium and large biogas has continued its tariff nose dive with another 25% reduction for all sizes; not surprising as this technology is more than 400% over budget. Biomethane has been reduced by 10%. Small biomass has had another nibble from its tariff with another 5% reduction

Wake up and save some money!!!

Andrew Kneeshaw — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 16:22:07 +0000

We’re doing a series of energy audits, at the moment, for some sizable energy using clients of one of our corporate customers. They’ve included numerous factories, offices, call centres, farms and workshops all over the country, from the South Coast all the way up to Scotland. I somehow expected

An introduction to SFR and how it works

Jon Swain — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:31:45 +0000

Jon Swain,Senior Consultant, will be giving a presentation on the Sustainable Fuel Register (SFR) at the largest UK wood fuel conference in Edinburgh next week. Wood Heat 2016 will be at Edinburgh Zoo on the 28th and 29th November 2016. Organised by the Wood Heat Association (WHA) and the

State Approval for SFR

Jon Swain — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 16:53:41 +0000

Together with Crops for Energy, we have been granted Secretary of State Approval to operate the Sustainable Fuel Register (SFR) as an authorised list of approved fuels. It is almost two years since we started working on the SFR, which shows just how difficult, time-consuming and involved a process

Renewable energy’s part of the big picture

Tay Bishop — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 12:47:32 +0100

Ofgem has recently released some statistics about sustainable energy in Britain, and it makes for interesting reading. According to these figures, 23% of UK electricity is from renewable sources, which is 21% of the contribution from coal-fired power stations. The impact of various Government

SFR provides greater traceability

Tay Bishop — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 10:12:14 +0100

We recently attended the Wood Heat Association members meeting in Birmingham and, following discussions about the future of the Biomass Suppliers List, it became clear that the industry is concerned about the traceability and integrity of sustainable fuels. This is something that we have also

Registrations at the ready

Tay Bishop — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 11:45:59 +0100

The Sustainable Fuel Register (SFR) is about to receive Secretary of State Approval and is almost ready to accept online registrations! Not only will the SFR allow previously unavailable biomass to be used in RHI biomass projects, but the increased traceability provided by the SFR system will

Iceland – keeping itself warm

Oli Coe — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 16:01:18 +0100

Why would you want to go somewhere hot and sunny for your summer holidays? When you could take in the delights of a Scandinavian country, such as Iceland, which is what I did recently. Although the weather wasn’t great, the scenery was incredible which more than made up for it. From glaciers to

Could this be the end of electricity from coal?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 12:02:22 +0100

I imagine somebody out there is saying the UK is due an ‘artic winter’. If we do get one, then it could get rather interesting in the energy markets this winter. Recently released statistics from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy show that, in the second quarter of 2016

Why you should be careful when signing a broker deal

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 09:00:46 +0100

When signing on the dotted line for your next energy contract it’s important to check what energy brokers are actually asking you to sign. As a small business ourselves, we know that time is precious and there is always something better to do than read the ‘small print’. If you are thinking of

The 1st October 2016 degression announcement

Jenny Beynon — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 15:31:35 +0100

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy have just announced the tariffs that will apply to the Non Domestic RHI scheme from 1st October 2016. Biogas will have 25% degression for all sizes; the current forecast for biogas projects is more than 3 times over budget.

Making a move

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 01:00:00 +0100

Are you missing out by staying with the same energy supplier? According to a recent report from the Competition and Markets Authority, customers are wasting a collective £1.7 billion a year by not switching their energy supplier. We often find that many of the people who contact us have stayed

Smart Use of Carbon Dioxide

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 01:00:00 +0100

On the 28th September GrowSave is organising a workshop where industry experts that will answer these two key questions: How do you use CO2 effectively and reduce waste? What alternatives are there to the traditional "back of boiler" CO2? The use of

Abrupt legislation change puts renewable energy projects at risk

Frances Christodoulou — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 01:00:00 +0100

On the 1st August 2016, an unexpected RHI regulation amendment will come into force, which will significantly cut support for Biomass CHP projects - biomass boilers that provide heat to steam or Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) turbines to generate electricity. The industry has received only three

Journey to the centre of the earth

Ed Hardy — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 01:00:00 +0100

Geothermal energy, although most effective in regions of volcanic activity where underground temperatures are highest, is an available energy source all around the globe. Whilst the Netherlands (hopefully!) may not be about to erupt, a group of Dutch growers has invested in geothermal energy to

Gas wholesale at 12 month high following Centrica closure

Jodie Hisgett — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 01:00:00 +0100

Centrica, who have 70% of the UK’s gas storage, have made the difficult decision to close their storage facility until the spring. This has caused the price for gas to increase by 10%, pushing it to its highest for a year. Over the past 18 months, the facility has experienced ongoing problems

Electricity can be more expensive than petrol on the motorway!

Jon Swain — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 01:00:00 +0100

For several years, Ecotricity has been providing ‘free to use’ charging points at motorway service stations, amongst other locations, for electric vehicle owners. Therefore, it may come as no surprise to those of us who own or drive an electric vehicle that, earlier this week, an email was sent

Miscanthus developments - burn it? sleep in it? live in it?

Jon Swain — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 01:00:00 +0100

The rain finally stopped, and the sunshine made a welcome appearance, just in time for a guided walk around an experimental fields trial site of miscanthus at Hackthorn in Lincolnshire. Miscanthus Giganteus has been the standard cultivar grown in the UK for some time now. For five years, a multi

Make savings to offset higher energy prices

Andrew Kneeshaw — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 01:00:00 +0100

Electricity prices took off last week and at this rate, we’ll soon be looking at them returning to levels seen 12 months ago. If you are going to cut costs, you’re going to have to look closely at something other than cheaper tariffs. Just as an example, I recently did an energy efficiency

We're changing our name to...

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 01:00:00 +0100

… FEC ENERGY Why the change? For many years now, FEC Services Ltd has traded as both Farm Energy Centre and Gateway Energy Solutions, with the intention of keeping our agricultural and horticultural operations (Farm Energy Centre) separate from our commercial arm (Gateway Energy Solutions).

All about ROCs

Elisa Evans — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 01:00:00 +0100

Recently Oli and I took a trip to London to see Ofgem for a Fuelling and Sustainability workshop. The workshop was all about the Renewable Obligations Certificate (ROC) Scheme, of which my knowledge has so far been limited to solar technology. I was interested to find out more from an Anaerobic

Another blow to UK's clean energy industry

Elisa Evans — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 01:00:00 +0100

Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) recently released a consultation that announces an end to Feed-in Tariff (FiT) schemes for new large anaerobic digestion (AD) sites, and a greater reduction to small and medium scale plants. Here are the main points from the consultation: No

Two years on and I'm still here

Elisa Evans — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 01:00:00 +0100

I was pleased to celebrate my second anniversary at FEC recently. Having changed from the domestic to the commercial energy world, I have learnt a great deal. From the traditional import of electricity and gas, to the more exotic export of electricity and now, gas-to-grid - when I joined FEC, I

The latest degression announcement from DECC

Thomas Wilkins — Tue, 31 May 2016 01:00:00 +0100

DECC have just announced the tariffs for the Non Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, which will be effective from 1st July 2016. Small biomass, continuing to be hit by the degressions, will be decreasing by 10%. Biogas, however, has been subject to a 15% reduction across all categories

LEDs in space

Ed Hardy — Wed, 25 May 2016 01:00:00 +0100

Water cooled LED lights have made their way into space! Safe food production is an ongoing issue for the EDEN Institute of Space Systems project. Heliospectra AB, working as part of this project, has designed high intensity LED grow lights to be used for this purpose on both the Internation

The TRIADs have gone... until next winter

Anonymous — Thu, 12 May 2016 01:00:00 +0100

Generators, and large users of electricity, can derive useful cash from coordinating their electricity use with the National Grid TRIAD periods. These are three half-hour periods in the year when national electricity demand is at its highest. Users are paid cash for shedding load, or having

Budget announcement impacts on future CCL costs and savings

Chris Plackett — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 01:00:00 +0100

In his budget speech on March 16th, George Osbourne made some interesting energy related announcements. For many, the most significant news was that the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (known as the CRC) will end on 1st April 2019. Alongside this announcement came the news that

Biomass boiler helps strawberry grower increase yield

Jenny Beynon — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 01:00:00 +0100

Scottish strawberry grower, PJ Stirling, estimate that they will produce an extra 150 tonnes of strawberries, as a result of extending their growing season with a new biomass heating system. PJ Stirling, who are based in Angus, Scotland, produced the crop by piping heat from a new biomass boiler

Changes to RHI will affect all participants

sam — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

The Government has released a consultation document, announcing the reform of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). There are proposed changes that will be implemented in April 2016 and Spring 2017. At the moment, the government has not confirmed whether these changes will effect RHI eligible

Recent RHI changes

Oli Coe — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

On the 3rd March 2016, the Government released a consultation document outlining proposals for the reform of the Domestic & Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Whether you are an existing RHI participant, or in the early stages of considering an RHI eligible installation, these

Eight million pounds of flexible energy procurement tenders

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Through our special access to flexible energy markets, we bought 200,000,000kWh of gas, and sold 100,000,000kWh of electricity, for our clients last week. This translated into a total contract value of £8m. Oh yes, and we also saved our clients £100,000 p.a. in supplier margins in the process

Energy efficient potatoes

Frances Christodoulou — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Ed and myself have been out and about with our research caps on recently, visiting potato stores, and examining how the store environment is manipulated to maintain potato quality during the crop storage phase. We are acting as partners in a multi-faceted research project funded by

Sustainable Fuel Register is launched

Jenny Beynon — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Earlier in February, the Sustainable Fuel Register (SFR) was launched at Energy Now Expo 2016. This reporting scheme will bridge the gap between fuel sustainability reporting and non-wood fuel users, just as the BSL does for wood biomass fuels. Jonathon Scurlock, from the NFU, said “The NFU

Be sure that you get your PPA benefits

Elisa Evans — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Historically, April 1st is the start of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) renewal season as it coincides the financial year. For your new PPA contract, it’s worth making sure that you are getting all the benefits as an exporter. Here are a couple of important things to check, before you sign on

Goodbye, Mr Chips

Ed Hardy — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

So, they let me out again. Clearly the Powers That Be didn’t read my last blog, as my request for a cosy, warm greenhouse went ignored! This week's location: a potato store. As I arrived, a HGV was being loaded with around 40 tonnes of potatoes, ready to go to a frozen chip producer.

The future of BSL discussed by industry reps

Tay Bishop — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

I recently visited DECC, along with representatives from the wood fuel industry, to discuss our experiences with the Biomass Suppliers List (BSL) and ways in which it could be improved for the future. The BSL is currently owned by DECC, but operated under licence by GemServe. The licence

RHI Biogas tariff degression

Elisa Evans — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

DECC have released the latest forecast for estimated, committed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) expenditure for the next 12 months. The ‘Biogas’ data from DECC’s forecast is applicable to AD clients, and it suggests that the Biogas combustion tariff will decrease by a minimum of 5% from 1

Heat networks for towns

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Having a big efficient ‘green’ boiler, supplying heat to a whole town or district, is relatively common in Denmark and other countries; in fact one of our clients, Thamesway Energy, does something similar to this in Woking and Milton Keynes. But why isn’t it more widespread in the UK? Well,

Turkish growers go the extra mile

Jon Swain — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

In southwest Turkey, temperatures have dropped to unusual lows of minus 2°C and that’s been causing headaches for greenhouse growers in the region. Growers in the areas of Fethiye, Karaculha and Camkoy have been spending their nights stocking wood burning stoves from 7pm to 8am the following

RHI will stay unchanged for another year

Jon Swain — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Installers hoping to receive the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for their new biomass, or other qualifying installations, will be comforted by a new announcement made by DECC on the medium term future of RHI. DECC have stated: “OFGEM will continue to run the RHI, under the current rules, during

Easy RHI compliance for non-wood fuels

Jon Swain — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Up to now, meeting the RHI sustainability requirements if you didn’t burn wood was difficult. However, after more than a year of discussion and proposals to DECC, we have secured their agreement to proceed with an alternative to the Biomass Suppliers List called the Sustainability Fuel Register (

Renewable energy storage in the UK

Jenny Beynon — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Western Power Distribution has committed to investigate the technical and commercial feasibility of battery energy storage within distributed generation installations in the UK. As a result, they have commissioned Renewable Energy Systems (RES) to build and support its first major UK battery energy

Waste not, want not

Oli Coe — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Recently, satellite data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has estimated that approximately 3.5% of the world’s natural gas supply is wasted by flaring. Flaring is used in gas and oil fields where it is not economically justifiable to capture and use it, for example

Winter is here

Max Knowles — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Following an unseasonably warm December, we might be forgiven for forgetting that winter isn’t just an ‘end of year’ season, it’s with us right the way through ‘til February. Following the mild Christmas, the cold snap the nation is currently facing will no doubt have us reaching for the

Are electric vehicles doomed?

Jon Swain — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

There has been an interesting article written by Jamie Turner and Chris Brace, from the University of Bath, which argues that hybrid petro-electric vehicles and fully electric vehicles have no long-term, mainstream future. They state that this is due to the fact that compared to the money and

Well that's cheesy!

Jenny Beynon — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

A new power plant has recently opened in the French Alps and, rather unusually, it is powered by cheese. Using a by-product of Beaufort cheese, the plant will produce 2.8 million kilowatt hours of energy per year. When full fat milk is used to make Beaufort cheese, there is cream and whey left

Enjoy a happy low energy Christmas

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Christmas is an expensive time for everyone, but the rise in energy bills can affect your workplace too. In fact, the Carbon Trust has estimated that, on the whole, businesses lose around £9million over the Christmas holidays! To help your business reduce its energy bills over the festive

How is the ISS powered?

Jenny Beynon — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Watching UK astronaut, Tim Peake, blasting off to start his 6 months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) was very exciting and it has been entertaining to watch the video footage of him adjusting to life in space. Unsurprisingly, the ISS gets its power from the sun. Attached to

Check your bills

Mick Orr — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

You should be regularly checking every aspect of your energy bills each time you receive one. This is especially important if your electricity profile has been, or will be, upgraded under the P272 scheme and you are new to this type of billing. Anyone with a half hourly electricity supply will

So... the dust settles after ESOS deadline

Jon Swain — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

An update published yesterday, provides some insight into the compliance of firms required to complete ESOS notifications. Nearly 70% of the anticipated number of firms required to comply have made either a full compliance or an intent to comply notification. The compliance rate indicates a

Solar power with a difference

Andrew Kneeshaw — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

There has been a push from the Paris energy summit to work on technical solutions to the carbon emissions problem. Solar power has been a key contributor so far, but continuity of supply and energy storage is the big challenge. Here’s an idea from the States that addresses the problem. Deep

Going, going, going... Dutch

Elisa Evans — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

I recently had the pleasure of having a Dutch relative come to stay and, knowing that some of our clients have Dutch origins, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to quiz them on the differences between life here and across the channel. I was surprised (and impressed) to learn that the Dutch people

Governments spending review in a nutshell

Oli Coe — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000

The Government has published the autumn spending review. Here are the main points concerning energy. The Government will shortly publish their response on Renewables Obligation and Feed-in Tariff consultations, detailing how it plans to implement cost control on these schemes (this

Spending review is announced... RHI will continue

Jon Swain — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Yesterday’s spending review contained the Government’s financial plans for improved energy efficiency and renewable energy. Although some detail is missing about how the measures will be achieved, the following points were made: Government will increase funding for the Renewable Heat

Did you know this about the RHI scheme?

Jon Swain — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Having spent a couple of days at the Wood Heat Association Conference in Bristol recently, I thought I would share a few interesting snippets about the RHI scheme. So far, the RHI scheme participants have received around £250m in subsidy. 84% of boilers are installed where there isn’t

How important is customer service to you?

Tay Bishop — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000

We’ve always had a strong desire to provide our customers with great customer service. Whether Kimberley is helping you with your energy contract, or Elisa is managing your energy accounts, we all strive to ensure that we give our customers a personal and comprehensive service. As far as

Horses to the rescue...

Jenny Beynon — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 01:00:00 +0100

Horses have always been there for us humans, whether as modes of transport, helping us farm the land, or simply a focus for our leisure time. However, Finland’s Government may have found another human issue where they could help. A Finnish energy company has started to test a biofuel made from

A taste of the Orient

Elisa Evans — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 01:00:00 +0100

During my recent holiday to the Far East I experienced why Japan has a reputation for being the worlds’ technology leader. I spied some regenerative braking on an electric train and travelled by maglev bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto past the Panasonic Solar Ark. In cramped Hong Kong I saw more

Letter of Authority warning

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 01:00:00 +0100

Energy suppliers are tightening up their procedures to ensure that energy account information is only shared with people who have authority. So for energy brokers, this is where a Letter of Authority (LOA) comes in. Brokers will ask a customer to sign an LOA that grants them permission to

A change for climate change

Max Knowles — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 01:00:00 +0100

On November 30th, the United Nations will convene for the 21st annual Climate Change Conference (UNCCC). In the past, these conferences have produced specific directives, or protocols, with the ultimate aim of stabilising greenhouse gas production to prevent serious interference with the Earth’s

Renewable energy has an increasing fundamental role

Jon Swain — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 01:00:00 +0100

An article in the FarmingUK newsletter about the proportion of energy supply that comes from renewable generation is pretty revealing. For the first time, renewable energy has provided more electricity generation than coal and nuclear. In fact over 25% of UK electricity came from renewable sources

Be prepared for fuel sustainability

Tay Bishop — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 01:00:00 +0100

The fuel sustainability requirements for renewable heat incentive (RHI) are getting near. All participants should be aware that the regulations come into effect on 5th October, and will apply to all fuels used in accredited systems from this date. We’ve heard that significant delays are

There are good trains and bad trains and then there's Bullet

Elisa Evans — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 01:00:00 +0100

The relationship between electricity and magnetism is intriguing. I recently purchased a BB8 Star Wars droid robot as a birthday present for my significant other. The technology behind the ‘magnetic spherical balancing robot’ is newly patented but there are other well-established uses of magnetism

Fast approaching deadlines

Anonymous — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 01:00:00 +0100

Coming to the end of your renewable energy installation and feeling that that commission deadline is looming closer and closer? If your Pre-FiT accreditation is due to expire at the end of this month then we trust that you have everything in hand as your tariff is likely to be lost. If your Pre-FiT

Google's quick solar check

Max Knowles — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 01:00:00 +0100

The market for domestic solar panels has exploded in the past few years, with a huge array of companies providing a multitude of design and financing options for those looking to lower their utility bills and do their bit for the environment. Regardless of how much assurance companies can offer for

Manure put to extraordinary uses

Oli Coe — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 01:00:00 +0100

I was reading the other day about an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant at Castelbosco farm, Italy. The farm has built a whole museum, aptly named the ‘Museum of S**t’, which showcases the extraordinary uses, art and history of organic material, both in human history and within nature. Castelbosco

Japan gets imaginative with its renewable energy plans

Max Knowles — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 01:00:00 +0100

Since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan has been searching for ways to boost energy production and diversify its renewable portfolio. Suitable space for renewable developments has proven unsurprisingly hard to secure for the country famous for its densely populated urban areas. However

How to win back the LECs deficit

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 01:00:00 +0100

From 1st August 2015 generators of renewable electricity no longer get Levy Exemption Certificate’s (LECs); (see my previous blog). But it is not all doom and gloom, there are ways of winning this back. If you focus on maximising export income, you can recoup the lost LEC money. Here is how we

How will P272 affect you and what is it anyway?

sam — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 01:00:00 +0100

A survey commissioned by Npower claims that 81 per cent of British retailers are unaware of forthcoming legislation P272. This legislation will mean changes to how energy is measured and billed for businesses across the UK. What is P272? Basically, medium scale users of electrical

Fuel measurement sampling for RHI

Elisa Evans — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 01:00:00 +0100

We are making sure we are fully prepared to help you maintain your ongoing obligations following accreditation to the Renewable Obligations (RO) scheme and the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive. Two of our engineers, Jon Swain and Oli Coe, will be attending the OFGEM Fuel Measurement

Brakes on the green agenda

Andrew Kneeshaw — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 01:00:00 +0100

Another announcement today about more cuts to the ‘green’ agenda will effectively kill off the Green Deal. This follows the ending of onshore windfarm subsidies, curbs on solar subsidies and the dropping of regulations to make all new homes ‘zero carbon’ already announced. Green Deal was

All LEGO bricks to be green

Thomas Wilkins — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 01:00:00 +0100

LEGO are to start a $150 million, 15 year study, to move from their petroleum based plastic product to a sustainable alternative. For an environmentally friendly LEGO fan this news makes for good reading. Tim Guy Brooks, LEGO senior director of environmental sustainability said ‘The ultimate