Farmers Preparing For Ever Higher Energy Prices As UK Oil Prices Rise Again

22nd February 2013

New Renewables Energy Show For Agriculture To Be Held At Thainstone Centre
A renewables energy show for Scottish farming is to be held at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, in April.

AgriEnergy 2013 will be a two-day event aimed at showcasing and discussing the latest developments in wind, solar, biomass, hydro and other forms of sustainable energy.

It is being organised by the ANM Group, one of the UK’s biggest farmer-owned co-operatives, in conjunction with Aberdeenshire Council.

The National Farmers Union of Scotland are also supporting the show on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th April.

The organisers say this new event will be the perfect forum for farmers and landowners to look at the potential and the benefits of renewable and sustainable energy in agriculture.

John Gregor of the ANM Group explained: “We already have a number of renewable energy companies based here at Thainstone so it made sense to extend that offering into an all-encompassing event.”

He added: “There is an incredible interest in renewables and we know that farmers and landowners have a key role to play in helping the country achieve its climate change targets.”

Eric Wells, the sustainable development officer (climate change) at Aberdeenshire Council, said key speakers had been lined up for a day of talks on the Thursday about the various energy options available.

He added: “Agriculture is a vital part of Aberdeenshire’s economy so it is important to ensure the long term sustainability of the industry.

“Reducing reliance on fossil fuels for transport and fertiliser is part of moving toward a low carbon future for farming. Farmers will have to incorporate a raft of renewable technologies in order to remain competitive in a UK, European and increasingly global market.”

Eric continued: “Exhibitions and conferences such as AgriEnergy enable the farming community to keep abreast of the latest developments in renewable energy technologies and the latest thinking in government policy on aspects such as planning, funding and other areas of support.

“I look forward to a busy couple of days at Thainstone on 25th and 26th April.”

There will also be displays and trade stands, both indoor and outdoor, with the latest equipment and ideas in the industry on show.

Renewable energy has brought more than £2.8 billion of investment to Scotland since 2009 and now supports more than 11,000-jobs.

The show organisers say that AgriEnergy will not be a one-off and it will become an annual event on the Thainstone calendar.

Further details on the show can be found on its website: www.agrienergyscotland.com