Herefordshire farmer receives funding to install renewable energy projects

The Morgan Farming Partnership is one of the first rural businesses in Herefordshire to be granted funding under the RE:think Energy scheme to install both a photovoltaic array and a wind turbine to generate renewable electricity.

The RE:think scheme is open to all farmers and rural business in the Rural Regeneration Zone (RRZ) areas of Herefordshire, Shropshire and parts of Worcestershire. It aims to encourage businesses to install renewable energy technologies, providing a unique opportunity to reduce carbon emissions and increase security of energy supply in the region.

The partnership is committed to produce 100% of its energy needs from green sources. Leadon Court is a 260 acre farm, at Fromes Hill in Herefordshire with cider apples, a pedigree Lleyn sheep flock and some arable cropping. The plan is to achieve energy security in the future as well as to reduce its electricity bills and to sell any surplus to add an additional income stream to the business. With the recently announced tariffs for small projects producing electricity, the investment case for the installation has been improved dramatically.

The Morgan Farming Partnership already uses biomass and solar thermal to heat the farmhouse and adjacent workshop. The £35,000 grant awarded by the Marches Energy Agency will go towards installing a 3kW photovoltaic array and a small 15kW wind turbine. With these in place just under 50% of the farm’s energy needs will be met.

The business also has a number of commercial units let out to local businesses. Mark Burton, is director of Cold Store Construction Services which manufactures units for the food industry as well as for the major retailers and is based at Leadon Court. He comments: “We firmly believe that having security of energy will be increasingly important for us as the price of oil and other fuels continue to fluctuate. Being provided with renewable energy will be sustainable and will give us stability for our business.”

Instrumental in getting the grants has been 7Y Services’ Energy division which has helped the Morgan Farming Partnership identify its energy requirements and find the most suitable system.

Sarah Wells is the Business and Energy consultant at 7Y Services. She comments: “We have helped facilitate this project from the initial Energy Audit through the feasibility and grant application which is the crux in getting the funds. We also researched and negotiated the best tariff for selling the electricity”


Any farmer interested in applying for grant funding through the RE: think Energy scheme please call Sarah Wells at 7Y services on 01568 616 113

Mon 7th Sep 2009