Biodiesel Set To Boost Rural Economy

On 31 October 2002 a field in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire became home to the world's first carbon-certified crop of rapeseed to be used for powering vehicles.

In a unique partnership, Greenergy is investing in the crop with United Oilseeds, Renewable Energy from Agriculture and farmer Mr Barwell Field. This marks the first such collaboration between the green fuels sector and the farming community.

The 35 acre site at Nook Farm is expected to yield some 55 tonnes of rapeseed each year. This is equivalent to almost 30,000 litres of rapeseed oil which, when converted into pure biodiesel and blended with ULSD, can supply some 560,000 litres of GlobalDiesel. This is sufficient to fuel around 300 diesel cars or 25 buses for a year.

The carbon-certification process behind the emissions guarantee for Greenergy GlobalDiesel takes into account all CO2 emissions associated with every stage of the fuel's production including planting, growing, harvesting, transportation and processing of the rapeseed through to tailpipe emissions. Carbon dioxide emission levels are independently audited.

Andrew Owens, Managing Director of Greenergy, unveiling a commemorative plaque on the site at Nook Farm, said "The production of rapeseed in the UK for the biodiesel market has the potential to provide a new and much welcomed revenue stream for the farming community, in addition to providing an important sustainable alternative to fossil fuels."

The National Farmers' Union believes up to 10,000 new jobs could be created in the next few years thanks to expansion of the green fuels industry. Rad Thomas, NFU spokesman, said "The production of biofuels could be a major factor in turning around the rural economic crisis."

Sales of GreenErgy Biodiesel at the first UK outlet, Holbrook Garage near Stroud in Gloucestershire are going very well. Roger Budgeon, the garage and Green Shop owner, said "Last month biodiesel accounted for almost 30% of our diesel sales and the percentage is going up each month. Customers are very happy with the fuel and many of them are reporting better milage than conventional diesel."

Links: Renewable Energy From Agriculture, GreenErgy website, back to news headlines