Renewable energy experts and planning specialists Fisher German has teamed up with the National Farmers Union (NFU) over the past twelve months to deliver the Farm Energy Service which helps farmers obtain valuable advice and assistance with regard to renewable energy. Since the service was launched Fisher German has been able to assist with almost 800 enquiries
Two NFU members in particular have seen tangible benefits from the service after the completion of projects of contrasting scale. The first of these saw Bill Bridgewater, a farmer from Llandrindod Wells in Wales, gain planning permission for a 15KW wind turbine after an earlier application, submitted prior to the existence of the Farm Energy Service, was unsuccessful. The turbine is now being used to supply electricity to his farm with excess energy exported to the local electricity grid.
The second project involved the completion of a wind farm in Garstang, Lancashire, with the erection of two 2MW wind turbines which will generate electricity for the national grid thereby providing a valuable source of extra income for farmer Stan Lawrenson. This project required the renegotiation of an outdated wind farm lease in line with current practice following the granting of planning permission.
Both landowners were assisted by Hywel Morse from Fisher German which has 14 offices across England.
“Before the Farm Energy Service was launched we had already been working with the NFU for over 15 years” Mr Morse said. “We regularly offered members with telecommunications masts and similar projects advice on rental and lease matters. The move to offering assistance with renewable energy enquiries was a natural progression and we are delighted that we have been able to assist so many farmers in such a short period of time.”
Mr Lawrenson commented that it had been a difficult process to renegotiate the terms for his wind farm but with assistance from Hywel Morse it has now been possible to increase rental revenues beyond what had originally been expected, in addition to securing better terms in the lease.
“I would recommend any NFU member to give the Farm Energy Service a call” Mr Lawrenson added. “I can testify that it has been worthwhile in my experience and intend to use Fisher German and Hywel again.”
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