2013 – Page 5 – Fine Energy

Conservation group set to generate significant renewable energy by 2020

The National Trust has released a plan to generate 50% of their power from renewable sources by 2020. The trust plans to integrate modern renewable energy generation into their traditional landscapes. Although they currently have over 150 renewable schemes in action, the new plan aims to reduce the use of fossil fuels in many of its properties.

By 2020, the renewables used will include 27% hydro power and 21% biomass, which will further be enhanced by 1% heat pumps and 0.5% solar power. Currently, the major carbon source and cost for the trust is oil, which will be reduced to just 3%, as well as plans to cut overall energy consumption by 20%.

In addition to helping in the bid towards a low-carbon economy, the move to renewables will save the National Trust money, forecasting a return on capital of 10%.

However, the new plans have not been met with an entirely positive attitude. Wind power is considered as the renewable source with the most potential and the trust has been criticised in the past for its chairman’s campaign against turbines. Simon Jenkins has fuelled opposition to wind energy with his influential newspaper columns, although the trust is keen to state that it is not anti-wind, but simply anti-wind in the wrong place.

Despite only generating a fraction of the UK’s renewable energy, the efforts of the National Trust have been applauded as they are acting as a true example for other organisations.

US Corporates Act on Climate Change

A group of US corporate giants has called upon the US Congress to improve and accelerate their attempts to attack climate change and the movement towards a low-carbon economy.

The group, formed by the Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP), understand that by acting on climate change now, their businesses will benefit economically in the future. As a collection of 33 high profile companies, including Nike, IKEA and Ben and Jerry’s, the group have created the ‘Climate Declaration’ and are angling for Congress to promote clean energy and place limits on carbon emissions, which Congress currently employs within its own operations.

These companies have a combined turnover of $450b, together creating over 475,000 jobs within the US and so have a fairly powerful following. Over the next few months, they will be encouraging other companies to sign the declaration to urge action from the government.

Anne Kelly, the director of BICEP has said that the message is clear; we need to act on climate change because “the cost of inaction is too high”. She continues by saying “policymakers should see climate change policy for what it is: an economic opportunity”. In order for businesses to act and for the country to grow their economy and protect the planet, the support of climate legislation is crucial.

We’re at FiT for Farming, Edinburgh Thursday 21st March – are you?

We’re looking forward to being at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh on Thursday 21st March. If you’re a farmer or a business with land and you’re interested in getting into wind or hydro energy projects – come and talk to us!

Contact us via our website or send an email to helen.dean@fineenergy.co.uk or call us on 0121 449 4443 – we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Come & meet us at Regen SW’s event 19 March, Westpoint, Exeter

We’ll be at Regen SW’s popular annual event on the 19th March and if you have questions about the suitability of your land for wind energy land rental, why not come to stand LD9 and we can have a look at your land by means of our web-based wind speed assessment program? We can tell you your wind speed in a matter of seconds and talk to you about the potential for a wind project on your land or business.

We’re working with many landowners, businesses and farmers across the UK. Find out why people choose us by visiting the event or ringing 0121 449 4443.

We look forward to meeting you.

Fit for Farming 6 March Fraddon, Cornwall – we’ll be there

If you’re in the Fraddon or Cornwall area and you’re interested in wind energy land rental on your farm, business, land or community land, then we’d love to meet you at the event run by Fit for Farming on 6th March in Kingsley Village, Fraddon, Cornwall.

Not everyone’s land is suitable for a wind turbine so come & talk to us at the Fine Energy stand. We’ll tell you your wind resource assessment and give you an idea of how likely it is that a wind project will work for you.

Call us on 0121 449 4443 to arrange to see us or drop in.