After several months delay, the details of the Renewable Heat Incentive have been released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.  The scheme wil provide rebates to industrial, commercial and public sector users of woodfuel in boilers commissioned after July 2009. The tariff levels have been reduced from those proposed in 2010 consultation but are still aimed to give a 12% rate of return on the additional cost of using renewable heat compared to that derived from fossil fuels. The scheme is scheduled to last over 20 years. The announcement does not include details for domestic users but a complimentary scheme is expected to be announced in the near future.

Now is a great time to consider growing your own fuel and safeguarding your biomass supply for the future. A farm using 10,000 litres of oil per year (~100,000 kWh) for heating would require about 27 tonnes of woodfuel per annum. This could be produced by growing just 3 hectares of SRC willows or miscanthus.  Read about some farmers who are growing their own woodfuel and using it to heat their premises here. 

A small holding using 4000 litres of oil (40,000 kWh) for heating would need around 11 tonnes of woodfuel a year. You could produce this from planting around 1 ha of SRC. You would need to plant a third of an ha for three years to produce a seamless supply. Read about the logistics of this here.

Crops for Energy are your one stop shop for helping you grow and use your own in order to get the maximum benefit from the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive.

We can provide:

• Feasibility studies on which crop to grow, which boiler to use and the logistics and economics of self supply
• Free consultancy support for SW Farmers through the R4F scheme
• High yielding cuttings of Swedish and UK bred willow varieties
• Project management of energy crop planting and harvesting
• Woodfuel kits for small holders
• Woodfuel training such as the Ignite course, the Lantra Energy Crops course and our own self supply course
• Expert knowledge on boilers capable of using energy crops.

To find out how Crops for Energy can help you get the most out of the Renewable Heat Incentive email us or call 0844 249 2901.