What is this about?
To encourage agricultural businesses to install small scale renewable energy capacity, mainly for own consumption within the agricultural business as a way to help to combat climate change and improve business viability.
What will this achieve?
- Improved business efficiency
- Reduction in carbon emissions
- Help to develop a local sustainable energy supply
What you can do?
Two distinct elements:
- Purchase and installation of a renewable energy system up to 250kW. In exceptional circumstances, applications for installations over 250kW will be considered, where applicants can demonstrate the generation capacity is primarily for agriculture related activity.
- If installing a biomass boiler, the purchase of supply chain or specialist equipment to harvest and process the woodchip or pellets.
Who can apply?
Agricultural businesses
Eligibility Criteria
- Agricultural business registered with SGRPID
- 51% or more of the energy produced would need to be used to carry out or directly support agricultural activities. Applicants will be asked to demonstrate this e.g. by providing meter readings of power consumed or details of the amount of fuel purchased over a given period
- "own consumption" means consumption on farm business activity (the proposal can include power used in the farmhouse if this is the only or primary business base for the agricultural business. It does not however include electricity or heat use in holiday lets or other diversified business activities
- Applicants who wish to generate power primarily for diversified parts of the business, must use the non-agricultural activity options under Axis 3.
- Agricultural businesses wishing to install renewable capacity primarily to sell to the grid must apply under the Axis 3 Diversification Outwith Agriculture Option.
What technologies and or equipment are supported?
- Small scale wind turbines
- Hydro-electric turbines
- Solar panels
- Automated woodfuel boilers
- Heat pumps
- Solar water heating
- Anaerobic digestion equipment using slurry and other agricultural by-products in the production of energy
- Specialist equipment for harvesting, pre-use processing (e.g. dryers, chippers, pelletisers), quality assurance (e.g. for checking moisture content, chip size, etc) and handling
- Supply chain equipment
Which products and installers can I use?
- If installing a micro renewable energy system (defined as having up to 50kW of electricity generating capacity or 45kW of heat generating capacity) the product and the installer must both be accredited, under the UK wide accreditation system called the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
- The exception to this is for hydro installers, where an accreditation scheme has not yet been established. Subject to confirming that more than one quote has been obtained, work can be carried out by local expertise under the supervision of a qualified advisor who can sign off installations to confirm that appropriate standards have been met
- Details of installers and products can be obtained from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme website http://www.microgenerationcertification.org or on 020 7090 1082.
- Independent advice on all aspects of installing renewable systems can be obtained from your local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre on 0800 512 012 or via their website at www.energysavingtrust.org/schri/household/how.cfm
Technical requirements for biomass installations
- All Combined Heat and Power ( CHP) installations must meet the criteria set for Good Quality for the purposes of the Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) scheme, as set out in the CHP Quality Assurance (CHPQA) Programme
- If located in a Smoke Control Area you must install an exempt appliance
What costs could be supported?
- Purchase and installation of equipment, including construction, upgrading or development of infrastructure.
Rate of support?
- For less favoured areas (LFA) up to 50% of eligible costs. Plus 10% Young Farmer Premium if eligible*
- For non-LFA up to 40% of eligible costs. Plus 10% Young Farmer Premium if eligible*
*To be eligible for the Young Farmer Premium, you must be a farmer or crofter who, at the time of submitting a Proposal is:
- 16 years of age or over, but under 40 years of age
- the head of an agricultural business (either as sole proprietor; or as the majority partner; or as the equal partner with another framer or farmers under 40 years of age)
Inspections/verification
- All final claims must be accompanied by relevant invoices.
- You must allow any person, duly authorised by the Scottish Government, to have access to allow an inspection to take place. An inspection may take place at any reasonable time either before or after completion
- If applicable, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme list of registered installers will be checked
- If applicable, the criteria set of good quality CHP Programme will be verified for compliance
- If located in a Smoke Control Area, applicants must install an exempt appliance and this licence must be verified
Technical Guidance
Registered installers information can be found at http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/Home+and+Business+Owners/Microgeneration+Installers
All heat appliances that qualify for Energy-Saving Enhanced Capital Allowance must meet the criteria for inclusion on the Energy Technology list ( www.eca.gov.uk)
Further information on CHPQA Programme ( http://www.chpqa.com/html/about.htm)
Further information on Smoke Control Area ( www.uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk)