14 July 2010

Heating Your Business Becomes Income Stream

From April 2011 a new initiative called the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is due to commence which means businesses can earn an income for using heat derived from renewable sources such as wood.

In Cheshire & Warrington lots of businesses are “off-grid” meaning they don’t have access to mains gas and therefore use coal, oil or other fuels which can be expensive, may become in shorter supply in the future and are more damaging to our environment.

The Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Commission and the Northwest Regional Development Agency have supported a study, “The Cheshire & Warrington Off Gas Grid Study”, which was carried out by The Mersey Forest. The Study targeted these off grid businesses and let them know about the potential opportunities of switching to biomass (naturally grown fuels like wood chips or pellets) or other lower carbon technologies.

Businesses that start to investigate low carbon technologies now can be ahead of the game when the RHI is introduced next year.

Phase 1 of the study focussed on GIS mapping of the businesses that are off the gas grid. For Phase 2 of the study over 2000 of these businesses were contacted. The study found that levels of awareness of RHI were worryingly low amongst these and also amongst businesses in the fuel/rural energy supply chain.

Aidan Manley, Managing Director of Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Commission said:
“Above average energy use is one of the biggest issues facing our sub-region. It’s important that businesses are given as many alternatives as possible in the challenge to reduce their carbon emissions and looking at alternative energy sources is a good way of doing this.”

Nigel Blandford from the Timber and Bioenergy team at The Mersey Forest said:
“Businesses that are off the gas grid have a great opportunity to reduce their ongoing energy costs and their carbon footprint by investing now to save money in the future.”

Dan Griffiths, Head of Climate Change, Northwest Regional Development Agecny (NWDA) said:
“Businesses throughout the region need to adapt if our economy is to grow in a sustainable way. The NWDA’s role is to support businesses to become more sustainable and in doing so making sure that the Northwest secures its future economically as well as environmentally.”

Click here for further information and to download the 'Cheshire and Warrington Off-Gas Grid Study'.

If you are a business that would like more information about switching to biomass please contact Nigel Blandford, Timber & Bioenergy,  The Mersey Forest. Email: nigel.blandford@merseyforest.org.uk; Tel: 07799 718 019.

For further information contact:
Tina Johnston, External Relations Manager
Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Commission
Tel: 01606 734187; Mobile: 07976 617129; Send Tina an email.

NOTES

Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Commission
The Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Commission is the economic development partnership for Cheshire and Warrington and is funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the Local Authorities of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington.

Northwest Regional Development Agency
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) works to deliver economic success in England’s Northwest by building the competitiveness of businesses, people and places. Their strategic influence on transport, housing and economic planning helps to deliver high impact projects that will enhance the quality of life for people living, working or visiting the Northwest.
For further information visit: www.nwda.co.uk.

The Mersey Forest
The Mersey Forest is one of the leading environmental regeneration initiatives in the North West of England, planting more than 8 million trees and involving over 100,000 people since 1994 to combat climate change and provide a sustainable environment for all. Visit: www.merseyforest.org.uk.