WESTMINSTER'S assault on the Renewable Heat Incentive for farmscale biomass has yet to bite and farmers who install a woodburning boiler this winter can still do so on very favourable terms – if they hurry up.

Scottish farm renewables powerhouse VG Energy this week highlighted that, contrary to what many farmers believe, there has yet to be any actual reduction in the RHI rates available for accredited installations, meaning that the biomass bandwagon is still very much available for boarding.

“It is a no-brainer – what other agricultural investment can make you 18-22% return on your money?" said the Ayrshire firm's Heather Shanks. "Although you might think that the biomass tariff has reduced over the years, for boilers from 200-999kW it is actually still the initial tariff introduced day one. In fact it has raised with inflation year on year.

"But we are conscious of the expected 25% cut to the RHI at the end of the year and also the government consultation in April next year, so farmers need to get going. We can have a system commissioned for you this year to ensure you get today’s tariff of 5.24p/kWh. Let us put together a proposal for you and the figures will speak for themselves.”

However, time is of the essence, as that RHI consultation next April could see a complete overhaul of the incentive and its tariffs.

"In these tough times in agriculture with low milk prices, stagnant grain and reduced basic payments, renewable technology can see you through this and add another income stream into your business," added Heather. "100% finance is available for biomass boiler projects and with RHI payments more than covering your monthly finance payments, there really is no reason not to look at this opportunity."

Biomass boilers are a natural fit for energy-hungry agricultural enterprises, where the cheap heat can be used for grain drying, to heat the steading and buildings, to produce hot water for a dairy or volume washing, or even to install a drying floor to dry woodchip.

Annual RHI returns on a MW boiler are £83,500, with an approximate capital outlay of around £299k, not including income from selling excess fuel or offsetting fuel costs.

But farmers wanting onboard need to act now. VG said that lead times on Heizomat boilers are currently 6 to 8 weeks depending on size, but they are ready and waiting to create a bespoke design and project proposal free of charge. Farmers signed up soon will have a project installed and commissioned in time to secure the maximum tariff of 5.24p/kWh. VG have successfully completed and accredited over 400 biomass boilers already, and are the lead supplier of Heizomat boilers in the UK.