20 October

The country’s leading renewable energy event looks like being the best yet, with key industry leaders already booked as part of the conference sessions, and major exhibitors confirming their stand presence.

Energy Now Expo returns to the Telford International Centre in Shropshire next February, on the 11th and 12th.  The two-day event 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.  

Headline speakers already confirmed include Henry Robinson, CLA President; Jonathan Scurlock, Chief renewables adviser, NFU; Ray Noble, Solar PV Specialist; David Collins, Head of REA Biogas Group; Jake Salisbury, Operations Director, GSHPA; Ian Burrow, Head of renewables & agriculture, NatWest; Nina Skorupska, Chief Executive, REA; Steve Edmunds, Director, Mole Valley Farmers; Simon Hamlyn, CEO, BHA; Louisa Coursey, small and medium wind development manager, RenewableUK and Jacqueline Balian, Head of RHI Operations, Ofgem

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.

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.

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 two co-operatives, Anglia 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; Envitec Biogas; Lark Energy; Fisher German; Evergreen Gas; Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution; Powersystems UK and Enercon GmbH.

Other attractions will include:

- An advice clinic in which a team of renewable experts will discuss visitors’ projects on a     one-to-one basis over both days;
- An exhibitor presentation zone featuring presentations from the leading suppliers, allowing visitors to quiz individual technology suppliers and
- A low emission vehicle zone, in which electric, hybrid and gas-powered vehicles will be on display