The Site

Craig Birch and his brother Neil have been running Beech Tree Farm in Sproxton, Leicestershire, in partnership for 20 years. The farm has been in the family for three generations; it was started by his grandfather before being run by his father. The farm is approximately 600 acres in size, and practices mixed farming of crops (mainly wheat, oilseed rape and beans) and livestock (cattle and sheep).

Craig had a wind turbine installed on the farm in May 2011. The turbine produces all of the electricity for the farm and for the farm’s green waste composting business, which helps to deposit large amounts of carbon in the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers (which require large amounts of energy in their production). All of this is helping Craig with his commitment to renewable energy.

The Scheme

Craig was managing the process of having his wind turbine installed when he asked Opus Energy to step in. Having already contacted his local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to ask them to connect him to the renewable energy network, Craig was finding out that it is a time-consuming and expensive process. Due to Opus Energy’s links with the DNO, the connection and installation process was sped-up for Craig, and he was given valuable assistance and information around the type of tariff he would need for his business requirements.

As is the case with all renewable energy generators, Craig is able to export electricity that he doesn’t need back to the grid; and receives money in the form of an export tariff as part of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Opus and the generation payment from the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Scheme for the total generation.

It can be the case that if the generators need to import additional electricity from the grid they can, and they are charged an import tariff. Meters are installed on the generator’s property to measure how much electricity is being exported and imported.

After his initial conversations with the DNO, Craig was under the impression that he would need a half-hourly import tariff and half-hourly export tariff. It was Opus Energy’s suggestion that only large companies need to track their energy usage every half-hour – with a 55KW wind turbine, it was unlikely that he would be importing nearly as much electricity as he exported. It was therefore suggested that Craig had a half-hourly export tariff, but a non-half hourly import tariff, and Opus Energy liaised directly with the DNO to ensure that the correct connection was made in a timely way. This innovative solution saved Craig money as it meant that his import tariff was a lot cheaper than it would have been.

The turbine generates between £40,000 and £50,000 per year in income for Craig’s farm, the equivalent amount of power needed to power half his village.

The move to a non half-hourly import supply contract has also created an approximate £1,000 per year cost saving for Craig on half-hourly standing charges and connection capacity charges. This is approximately 25% of the overall contract value for the exported power.

An additional benefit for Beech Tree Farm is that councils and businesses are all more willing to do business with Craig, knowing the commitment he has shown towards environmental issues.

Craig Birch, “It is refreshing to deal with someone who appreciates your custom rather than talking to ever changing call centre staff. I would recommend Opus Energy to anyone thinking of a renewable energy project.” 

Andy Dayus, Head of Renewable Operations, Opus Energy, “Other providers don’t offer this dual measurement class. In fact, Craig was the first customer of ours that we suggest use this approach. We found it worked so well that, after trialling it on Craig’s premises, we’ve rolled it out to other customers.

“This was a completely new concept in measurement. We spent time thinking how best to meet Craig’s needs, and therefore decided upon the dual measurement class. We then worked closely with Craig’s chosen Meter Operator, Imserv Invensys, who confirmed they would be happy to install a dual measurement class meter as the ideal solution.

“We have great experience in dealing with these types of connections. Dealing with renewables since 2006 we provide a unique tailored service for each client, listening to the customers’ needs and providing the best solution for them. We are flexible in our approach to each situation. Through our many contacts within the industry we can draw on the resources of people with the necessary expertise if required.

“This particular solution has been used on 5 other installations and we are trialling new ideas for dual measurement classes on a singular meter as opposed to two separate assets.”

Opus Energy?s renewables video feat. farmer Craig Birch