Farm Diversification

Scotland has an enormous potential for renewable energy generation. This provides an opportunity for landowners and land managers, not only to improve the viability of their existing businesses but also to generate new revenue streams by establishing renewable energy projects.

The Scottish Government now aims to see 100% of the country's electricity coming from renewable sources by 2020, up from a previous target of 50%. In addition the aim is for 11% of the nation’s heat to come from renewable sources by the same target date. As of 2011, 30% of electricity and 3% of heat demand was met from renewable sources.

The Scottish Government are keen to see the agricultural community play their part, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said "The renewables revolution offers our farmers and land-based industries the opportunity to cut energy costs, generate new income and contribute to our low carbon future. The list of benefits is endless.”

There has been interest in generating wind power for use on farm for decades however, it is only more recently that improvements in technology and increased financial incentives have started to make on farm wind power generation financially feasible.