Biomass Energy Co-operative secures first contract

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Biomass Energy Co-operative secures first
contract
SOLAMON ENERGY
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The organisation, which is dedicated to renewable
energy, will install a biomass boiler at a church
in Ellesmere Port
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Business is hotting-up for a new Bury-based
energy co-operative which has secured its first
contract. The organisation will install a biomass
boiler and viewing room at a church and social
club in Ellesmere Port, Merseyside.
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Following a chance discussion at a football game,
Grant Miller, Chris O'Connor and Ricky Davies
registered as a co-operative, with support
from The Co-operative Enterprise Hub, and set
about turning their 'energy' for renewables into
their day job.
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Over a 20 year period it is predicted that the
church's investment in its new energy system
through funds provided by the government'sRenewabl
e Heat Incentive  will see a return that not
only covers installation and fuel costs, but also
generates a surplus income of over 130,000.
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The biomass boiler will burn locally sourced wood
shavings and pellets. It is estimated that this
will reduce the church's CO2 emissions by more
than 580 tonnes over 20 years. Ash produced will
be given to horticulturalists as a component for
composts.
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In addition to providing energy savings, the
focus of the Biomass Energy Co-operative is to
promote a transition to a lower carbon economy
while contributing to wider environmental
improvements. It offers a free feasibility study
service and supplies and installs the latest
heating systems to commercial buildings,
residential homes, schools, community buildings
and large domestic properties across the north
west.
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Chris O'Connor, operations director at the
Biomass Energy Co-operative, said "Modern
biomass boilers are simple in principle. They are
fully automated, require very little maintenance
and use wood pellets, wood chips or energy crops
to provide heat and hot water.
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"We believe it is an exciting time for
renewables they have the potential to transform
the way that business thinks about its heating.
People are genuinely amazed at how much they can
save and, with programmes like the Renewable Heat
Incentive similar to feed-in tariffs, a
comparable scheme for electricity it is
expected that even more people will explore the
installation of renewable heat equipment."
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The Co-operative Enterprise Hub has set aside 1m
between 2012-14 to scale-up the number of
community-owned renewable energy projects. It is
a free business support service provided by The
Co-operative Group  the UK's largest
member-owned organisation.
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Piloted in the north west in 2009, the service
has now assisted more than 750 member-owned
businesses across the UK.
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Michael Fairclough, head of community and
co-operative investment at The Co-operative,
said "The Co-operative is working to support and
encourage co-operatively owned renewable energy
projects equipping more people with the tools
to control, generate and benefit from renewable
energy.
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"We believe this support will lead to a
step-change in people's thinking about energy
and, inspire others to take action - a catalyst
for a clean energy revolution across the UK."