Cheaper Electric at Winter Fair

20 Nov 2009

If you are a dairy farmer interested in saving money off your electricity bills, make sure you visit the NIE Energy stand at the forthcoming Winter Fair, Northern Ireland’s premier dairy event, on at the King’s Hall in Belfast on Thursday, 10th December.

To get the Winter Fair off to an electric start, NIE Energy is giving away free energy saving light bulbs from their stand, whilst stocks last. They will also be able to do a free tariff check to see if you are on the cheapest tariff for your farms consumption, as well as give details of special offers on energy saving lighting.

NIE Energy Farm Manager, John McCay says farmers know a bright idea when they see one, he said: “We want as many farmers as possible to come and see us on our stand. We will have details of their account to hand and will be able to work out, there and then, if they could be on a cheaper tariff.

“If farmers are on our Farm Popular option, they are probably missing out on significant savings. Thousands of farmers could an average of £400 off their annual electricity bill by switching to our Farm Night Saver.

“There is no risk in switching tariff as if you don’t save, we’ll refund you any difference and switch you back. Although we’ve never had to do this as farmers have always saved!”

The savings don’t stop there. With NIE Energy running subsidised lighting schemes to help dairy farmers.

One of the offers is for high efficiency fluorescent tubular light fittings for use in damp or dusty farm buildings. They use the most efficient technology available with less than half the electricity consumption of old type fluorescents of this size. For example, one dairy operating eight hours per day, 365 days per year, saved over £300 a year on running costs by replacing ten standard twin, five foot fittings with the energy saving fittings. NIE Energy will have details of this and all of the subsidised schemes on their stand at the show.

John added: “We hope that farmers take advantage of the energy saving schemes to ensure they are using as little energy as possible, to go about their business. They will also pay less if they are on the best tariff for them and also pay by direct debit.”

Farmers who pay their NIE Energy bill quarterly can get 4% discount off every bill. On average, the saving will pay for two weeks worth of electricity every year. Monthly-billed NIE Energy farming customers get 3% discount.

NIE Energy staff will be on hand to offer advice on renewable energy on the farm and in addition, there will be information about safe working practices around electricity equipment on the farm.

The NIE Energy lighting and offers for farmers are available on a first come, first served basis. For a full list of energy saving grants available from NIE Energy, visit www.nieenergy.co.uk

Photo caption - Richhill farmer William Parkes is pictured (r) with John McCay, Farm Manager at NIE Energy, on the company’s stand at this year's Balmoral Show. Come along to the NIE Energy stand at the Winter Fair to hear how you can cut your electricity bills.

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