The country’s leading renewable energy event for farmers and landowners, taking place at Telford International Centre, Shropshire on February 11^th and 12^th 2015, has announced the list of conference speakers this week.

Headline speakers include:

• · Henry Robinson, CLA president;
• · Meurig Raymond, NFU president;
• · Jonathan Scurlock, chief renewables adviser, NFU;
• · Ray Noble, co-chair DECC Solar Strategy Group
• · Charlotte Morton, chief executive, ADBA;
• · Jake Salisbury, operations director, GSHPA;
• · Ian Burrow, head of renewables & agriculture, NatWest;
  • · Hiten Sonpal, director, Lombard Green Finance;
  • · Peter MacDonald, head of procurement – agricultural inputs, Anglia Farmers;
  • · Nina Skorupska, chief executive, REA;
  • · Steve Edmunds, director, Mole Valley Farmers;
  • · Simon Hamlyn, CEO, BHA;
  • · Louisa Coursey, small and medium wind development manager, RenewableUK;
  • · Jacqueline Balian, head of RHI operations, Ofgem
  • · Nicky Conway, principal sustainability advisor, Forum for the Future

Each will be tackling the issues facing different energy sectors, as an increasing number of farmers seek alternative ways to reduce bills, lower carbon emissions and boost incomes.

Topics being discussed include: the next government’s blueprint for green energy, how the RHI has fared, and what the likely future changes are, and contracts for the difference (CFDS) explained. The future of on-farm wind, food and fuel – and how they can be integrated, maximising returns from marginal land, the business plan for an AD plant, sources of heat for a heat pump, the latest developments in energy storage, practical tips to heat metering, timetable of changes to the financial incentives, biogas CHP vs biomethane, the financial help available and a practical guide to grid connections.

Energy Now Expo returns to the Telford International Centre in Shropshire and the two-day expo continues to be the only renewables event organised exclusively for the agricultural and rural sectors, attracting farmers and landowners from all over the country.

“This sector is growing in importance daily, with a vast range of opportunities for new income streams and cost-efficiency,” says David Jacobmeyer, director of Renewable Energy Events.

New for 2015 is the Grid Connection workshop, for the first time offering participants with an opportunity to discuss grid connection issues with the experts, helping them to understand the processes, timescales and possible constraints involved. Companies taking part in this include Ofgem, Western Power Distribution and the National Grid.

The Energy Now Expo is being held in association with the NFU and CLA, and is sponsored by NatWest and Lombard. Additional support comes from the industry’s leading trade organisations, REA; the NNFCC; ADBA; BHA and GSHPA plus three co-operatives, Anglia Farmers, Mole Valley Farmers and Woldmarsh Producers.

With so many challenges facing this sector at the moment, and the inclusion of a star array of keynote speakers, tickets are expected to be booked fast, so visitors are being encouraged to make an early booking. Energy specific panel debates will follow the main conference presentations, as well as in-depth looks at the very latest developments on offer. And dedicated sessions covering best practice in energy management are sure to be popular.

The exhibition itself will feature more than 160 exhibitors representing the wind, solar, biomass, biogas, biofuels, hydro, energy efficiency, ground and air source heating sectors. Already signed up are leading businesses such as Bowler Energy; Euroheat Distributors; Chesterfield Biogas; Lark Energy; Fisher German; Evergreen Gas; SSE Power Distribution; Brabners, EWT , Rehau and Enercon GmbH.

Other attractions will include:

• · A DECC RHI zone, returning by popular demand after its success last year;
• · An advice clinic in which a team of renewable experts will discuss visitors’ projects on a one-to-one basis over both days;
• · A low emission vehicle zone, in which electric, hybrid and gas-powered vehicles will be on display

If you pre-register, attending the exhibition and exhibitor presentation zone is free of charge.

To register visit: www.energynowexpo.co.uk or call 01293 854405 to organise a ticket.