£20K interest-free green loan scheme opens

1 February 2010

FARMERS can apply for interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to buy energy efficient equipment from today (Monday, February 1).

The Defra scheme, launched in conjunction with the Carbon Trust, will provide around 1,000 farmers with the opportunity to upgrade old equipment or purchase renewable energy technologies.

Defra says the loan scheme will slash on-farm energy bills by £4 million and save 25,000 tones of carbon annually.

Jim Fitzpatrick, farming Minister, said: “It makes sense for farmers to reduce the energy they use – it saves them money, it reduces the cost of producing food, and it cuts the environment impact too.

“I would encourage any farmer who wants to reduce their energy costs to apply.”

For more information please visit: www.carbontrust.co.uk/loans or call 01865 885846.

What kind of loans are available?

Examples of energy efficiency upgrades which the Carbon Trust loans will fund are:

Thermal screens, used in greenhouse horticulture, typically cost up to £20,000, and can save over £10,000 and 100 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Milk cooling accounts for one third of the energy consumption of dairy farms. New systems cost £3,000, and save up to £1,000 and 6 tonnes of CO2 a year.
Insulation used in field horticulture crop stores, typically costs around £17,000, and saves up to £10,000 and 50 tonnes of CO2 a year.
Upgrading heating and ventilation controls, in livestock farms, typically costs £3,000, and saves over £4,000 and 23 tonnes of CO2 a year.
Grain drying humidity controls, used in arable farming, typically costs £3,000, and saves around £1,500 and 10 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Readers' comments (2)

mervyn saparamadu | 1 October 2010 9:02 am
we want details to apply for aloan
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asankadaulagala@yahoo.com | 1 October 2010 5:04 pm
send me details
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