Scottish green energy projects receive a slap in the face

New business rates based on an assessment two years ago in Scotland could see some renewable energy projects abandoned.

That was the verdict of Lib Dem environment spokesman Liam McArthur in an article in The Scotsman, as experts warn that specialist firms are struggling to cope with the new rates.

Where some wind farm business rates have doubled, hydro schemes have seen their business rates increase five-fold.

The green energy sector in Scotland is one of the worst affected industry sectors by the 2010 re-evaluation.

If you'd like to read a more in-depth report, including a reply from the Scottish Government, click here to visit The Scotsman.

photo credit: erikpaterson

Drop in hydro power generation for first quarter of 2010 announced

Spotted over at ClickGreen.org, was this story about a sharp fall in renewables share of the total energy production for the first quarter of 2010.

I'll let you read the full article for yourself, but I found it slightly contradictory.

On the one hand it states there was a drop of nearly 7% in electricity generated from renewable sources, with most of that being attributed to a 44% decrease in energy from hydro sources.

Overall, the report claims, our year-on-year renewable capacity increased - being 17% higher in 2009 than in 2007.

You'll find all the figures in full by clicking here to read the UK Government report.

photo credit: richard child

Farmer diversifies to add value to his farm with renewable energy source

Spotted in the Farmers Guardian - how one welsh farmer prays for rain.

Whilst many of us struggle with torrential downpours or even the odd drizzle, one Welsh farmer loves the stuff.

And he's got good reason to.

Alan Williams has installed a 10kW hydro electric generation plant on his 300 acre farm and in the 18 months since he installed it, has been saving himself a pretty penny.

"Not only are there the normal savings in expenditure to be had, but it also maximises payments for the surplus energy being fed into the National Grid.

At the heart of the venture is a small, three-metre square shed hidden away in a stream-side dingle – it houses what has been a capital investment of around £20,000.

But with their own electricity bills reduced from £2,000 a year to a mere £75, plus an annual payment of £4,000 from Ofgem for producing renewable energy, as well as payment for the power exported to the National Grid, payback is expected in just two-and-a-half years.

Automatic switchover provides mains electricity back-up."

You can read the full interesting article at Farmers Guardian by clicking here. It just goes to show that with a little imagination and advice, you can really make alternative energy investments work for you.

As Alan states in the article "There used to be three woollen mills running off water power in this valley years ago, so really we are just going back to using a resource which was already here".

photo credit: nicksarebi

Unique Hydro plant opens 'down under'.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a new $230 million hydro power station has just been officially opened by the Victorian Premier - John Brumby.

What makes this Hydro plant unique is that it did not require any new dams or new water, which would have disrupted the local environment.

Instead, a new 7km tunnel was built to take water from another nearby power station.

The new station - the first to be built in Australia in the past 25 years took several years to complete and created abut 200 jobs during the construction phase. It will be used to supplement energy demand during peak periods and can generate enough electricity to supply more than 120,000 homes.

You can read the full story hot of the pages of the Sydney Morning Herald by clicking here.

photo credit: iheartsharts