The EU co-financed Biomass Processing Challenge Fund (BPCF) has been re-opened.

The BPCF aims to encourage agricultural and forestry businesses to install biomass fuelled technologies primarily to aid agricultural activities at farm level. The Fund can provide capital grant assistance of up to 40% with a ceiling of approximately £320,000 per project.

The Minister recently visited the Blakiston-Houston farm in Carrowreagh, County Down to view the Anaerobic Digester which was installed at the premises with support from the BPCF. This dairy, beef and arable farm utilises cattle slurry with a percentage of grass silage to produce heat and electricity to be used on-farm in direct support of agricultural activities.

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Following her visit, the Minister said: "It is good to see a successful renewable energy project in operation and I am pleased that my department was able to offer assistance to it and other renewable installations.

"I support the development of on-farm renewable energy technologies and I recognise that they can be hugely beneficial to local farmers by improving their resource efficiency and providing a secure source of renewable energy which will in turn enhance farm profitability."

The Minister highlighted that she wanted to see the agricultural sector make a meaningful contribution to the government target of producing 40% of electricity and 10% of heat from renewable sources by 2020. She added: "I firmly believe that assistance with capital installation is vital to ensure that these targets are met and I hope that all farmers will give serious consideration to the adoption of renewable technologies on-farm. I am confident that such technologies can benefit every farmer in the north of Ireland, regardless of the size of their holding."

(CD)