Section G: Energy crops
- How much money will be available for energy crops in the new Programme?
- What changes have been made to the Energy Crops Scheme in order to secure agreement to the RDPE 2007-2013?
- When will the Energy Crops Scheme open?
- What are the payment rates for establishment of energy crops under the new programme?
- Will the same crops be supported under the new Energy Crops Scheme?
- What can I do to prepare for making an application under the scheme?
1. How much money will be available for energy crops in the new Programme?
- Nearly £47 million of new money will be made available to support the establishment of around 60,000 hectares of energy crops. Establishment support will be offered for the energy crops miscanthus and Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) of various species under Axis 1 of the Rural Development Regulation, via a measure, which allows for investment in the modernisation of agricultural holdings.
- In addition, the RDAs will be supporting activity which is related to the delivery of biomass energy and supporting its supply chain.
2. What changes have been made to the Energy Crops Scheme in order to secure agreement to the RDPE 2007-2013?
- All plantings (miscanthus and short rotation coppice) supported will be at a rate of 40% of actual costs. For short rotation coppice this will mean a lower rate of support than we had hoped to offer.
- This is because, following negotiations with the Commission and in common with some other Member States, we have moved the basis of this support from Axis 2 of the Rural Development Regulation to Axis 1. As a result, we are only able to pay a maximum of 40% of eligible establishment costs as opposed to our original intention to offer 60% of standard costs.
- However, the change to actual rather than standard costs might help some growers whose costs are significantly higher than the industry’s average.
- Any Energy Crop Scheme agreements entered into before 1 January 2007 will not be affected by these changes
3. When will the Energy Crops Scheme open?
- The Energy Crops Scheme is already open – it opened for applications only on 1 October 2007. This was to allow time for potential growers (and Natural England, who will deliver the Scheme) to make decisions ready for the planting season in the spring. Once the legal decision formally approving the Programme is published, hopefully by the New Year, agreements between growers and Natural England will be entered into.
- Natural England will be contacting those who have applied for the Energy Crops Scheme (2007-2013). As we have had to make some changes to the Scheme, we will be giving applicants the opportunity to revise or withdraw their applications.
- The Scheme handbook, application form and details of the Scheme are available at www.naturalengland.org.uk and further information can be obtained from the Energy Crops Scheme Administration Unit on 01609 767400.
4. What are the payment rates for establishment of energy crops under the new Programme?
- Unlike the previous Energy Crops Scheme, the new Scheme will pay a percentage of actual costs, not a set amount based on an industry average. Support will be available at a rate of 40% of actual costs.
5. Will the same crops be supported under the new Energy Crops Scheme?
- Yes. We will continue to support the establishment of the perennial energy crops miscanthus and short rotation coppice of willow and poplar, under the successor scheme. In addition we have added some slower-growing traditional coppice trees – these are ash, alder, hazel, silver birch, sycamore, sweet chestnut and lime.
6. What can I do to prepare for making an application under the scheme?
- To support the new Scheme, opportunity maps have been published. The maps are a tool to provide guidance to those seeking to develop energy crops, showing the areas that are likely to be best for growing SRC and miscanthus, as well as where it would not be appropriate to plant or where care would need to be taken. The maps are indicative, not definitive, and individual assessments of applications will still take place.
Page last modified:
7 February, 2008
Page published: 21 July, 2005