Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill has said she was encouraged by the level of interest shown in the re-opening of the EU co-financed Biomass Processing Challenge Fund.

The Biomass Processing Challenge Fund (BPCF), which closed to applications late last year, encourages agricultural and forestry businesses to install biomass fuelled technologies primarily to aid agricultural activities at farm level. The Fund can provide maximum capital grant assistance of up to 40% with a ceiling of approximately £345,000 per project.

-- Advertisement --

The Minister said: "A high number of applications to tranche two of the Biomass Processing Challenge Fund have been received and selection panels will soon sit to agree on funding awards. The number of farmers proposing on-farm renewable energy projects has increased significantly since tranche one of the Fund. This week as we mark 'Climate Week', this level of interest is evidence that the local agricultural sector is playing its part in the battle to reduce emissions.

"I believe that the installation of biomass-fuelled renewable energy technologies is a good method by which farms can ensure access to a secure supply of clean energy which will increase their efficiency and boost farm profitability. I look forward to the results of the BPCF selection panels and hope to see a number of high quality projects receiving support from my Department."

(CD/GK)