Deadline looms to beat wind power tariff cuts 

The UK’s leader in renewable energy has launched a series of roadshows across the UK to help farmers and rural businesses beat the deadline for wind power subsidy cuts.

The Government is considering reducing Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) for small wind turbines between 1.5 and 15KW by 25 per cent – a move that could cost rural businesses up to £70,000 over the lifetime of a turbine on their land.

A government consultation is being run until April 26, with a view to introducing the new rates from October.

To help people beat the deadline and to give them the full facts about the benefits of wind power, Myriad CEG Wind has set up special roadshows across the country.

Farmers and others interested in investing in a turbine can see how they operate and get the full facts on installation and how to ensure they get the most from the FiT scheme.

To beat the deadline for the FiT reduction in October, farmers need to have their planning applications submitted by May 31.

Phil McVan, managing director of Myriad CEG Power, the UK’s largest supplier and installer of green energy equipment, said: “It really will pay for farmers considering wind turbines to act quickly.

“That is why we are going out into the country to give people all the facts they need to make an informed decision in the light of the announcement about FiT changes.

“The Government has started a consultation process over its plans to reduce the tariff by 25 per cent, although we hope that the eventual reduction will be less.

“With the cost of investing in a turbine being around £67,000, the extra money farmers can receive from beating the deadline really will make a difference to their cost-base.

“We believe that the benefits of installing a wind turbine are great, even with a FiT reduction.

“The economic pressures facing farmers in the UK are enormous. Much of it generated by the supermarket chains and by imports of cheap milk and meat.
“That’s why so many are looking to use their farm assets to generate a livelihood – using their land differently so they are not at the mercy of a volatile market.

“We know of one North West farmer who had a £10,000 annual electricity bill which he now covers through having just one wind turbine on his land.

“The potential is there for many more farmers to get involved and to cash in on the benefits wind turbines can bring to them. That is the message we are sending across Britain.”

Visitors will see the turbines that Myriad CEG Wind installs in action on-site. They will be able talk to the experts to get the full facts – including generation figures, costings and projected earnings.

Visitors will also get information on planning and grid connection as well as FiTs.

The roadshows start in the Scottish Borders on March 7 in Greenlaw, Duns, at Greenlaw Town Hall. This takes the form of two identical seminars allowing visitors to either attend the 9-12pm session or the 1-4pm session.

On March 8 the Myriad Team will be at Raywell, Cottingham in East Yorkshire for a drop-in style event where visitors are welcome at any time between 10-4pm.

And on March 19 the roadshow moves across the Pennines to speak to farmers and rural businesses in Lancashire. The drop-in event, again taking place between 10-4pm, is being held just a few miles out of Bolton.

For more details including maps and directions for these events and other events being planned, please email Charlie.guthrie@myriadeceg.com or call 0203 056 0873.