News Energy
Almost half of the farmers generate their own energy
More and more agricultural entrepreneurs are generating their own sustainable energy. In 2012, this was still 10% of farmers, but this share has now risen to 45%. Solar energy is especially popular. This is apparent from research by CLM.
CLM was commissioned by RVO to conduct research into knowledge and awareness of energy and climate in agriculture. A follow-up to 3 previous studies in 2012, 2015 and 2018. The results show what the Agrocovenant has achieved. This covenant expires in 2020 and contains agreements between the government and the agricultural sector on energy and climate.
Efficiency plays an important role
The survey shows that entrepreneurs from all agricultural sectors are more aware of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture than 8 years ago. Special attention is paid to the emission of CO2, due to energy consumption and fuel. Energy saving is considered important by 96% of the entrepreneurs. Emissions of other greenhouse gases, such as methane, receive less attention. Reducing measures in this area therefore do not have a direct impact on the company's profitability.
The number of agricultural entrepreneurs taking energy-saving measures has also increased in recent years. The share grew from 2012% to 2020% between 80 and 95. The obligation to register energy-saving measures since 2017 may have contributed to this.
In addition, no less than 45% now generate their own sustainable energy, compared to 10% in 2012. In the production of sustainable energy, the investment is often higher and the payback time is longer than with energy-saving measures.
Solar energy especially popular
An important condition is that energy-saving measures must be profitable and that there is sufficient room for investment. Investing in solar panels seems to meet these conditions for many entrepreneurs. The number of entrepreneurs who have invested in solar energy increased from 4% in 2012 to 42% in 2020.
In addition to generating energy from solar panels, farmers can reduce emissions with, among other things, geothermal energy, TES, hydrogen, CO2 sequestration and methane measurements. CLM developed 6 videos in which entrepreneurs from different agricultural sectors show how and why they implement measures on their farms.
Jeanette Pennings
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