The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has submitted its response to the Department of Economy’s (DfE) consultation on design considerations for a Renewable Electricity Support Scheme for Northern Ireland (NI).
UFU deputy president William Irvine said, “The level of interest coming from our farmers about supplying renewable heat and power is significant. It’s critical that government supports and encourages their entrepreneurial enthusiasm. The DfE has a key role in providing meaningful support within government and this is vital to advance its renewable electricity agenda in a way that maximises benefits for the rural community and farmers. In doing so, this will keep the supply chain short as well as promoting technologies that provide the greatest benefit in terms of employment and create new business opportunities for farmers who are eager to branch into renewables.
“Agriculture can play an active role in reducing carbon emissions and we have resources at hand to play a big part, both in terms of existing renewable infrastructure and recognition of the on-going innovative solutions which the UFU are working on. There are several key priorities missing from this consultation which need to be addressed at this early stage and the UFU is happy to meet the DfE to discuss these.”
The UFU is concerned that mechanisms of this consultation are based on large scale renewable electricity producers.
“We have repeatedly emphasised that any future strategy needs to be inclusive, ensuring energy projects are supported not just at an industrial level, but for smaller farm scale renewable projects. The UFU fear that there is a lack of potential within the consultation for the NI agricultural industry, ranging from the micro to small renewable electricity production.
“As well as being major load customers, over the last decade our members have become significant generators of renewable electricity; small scale wind, hydro, anaerobic digestion, biomass and solar PV. Small scale renewable generation from our members now provides enough renewable electricity for 150,000 homes – emphasising the importance of the agricultural industry.
“Any future scheme should not be complex. It needs to be inclusive with an appropriate support mechanism in place. It is imperative that the government and policy makers act with pace to progress strategies and the development of renewable energy in NI,” said Mr Irvine.
