Low-Carbon Solutions for Poultry Farmers Amidst Rising Energy Costs
- emma8807
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
As Poultry News writes last week (March 2026), the uncertainty around energy costs has become its own challenge for UK poultry farmers. Ofgem has recently approved a 63% rise in transmission network charges for large energy users in the UK from April 2026 (NESO).
For poultry producers, the impact is significant. Poultry News says that the average broiler farmer can expect to pay £9,300 more per year – a 55.2% increase – while egg producers may pay as much as £32,000 more – a 72.4% rise.
Now more than ever, it is vital for poultry farmers to consider renewable energy solutions and energy efficiency systems to use on their farms.
CFE can advise on bespoke low-carbon solutions for your farm. This means benefitting from having more control over your energy usage and bills, while lowering your carbon footprint.
Maximising Efficiency with Heat Recovery
One effective way poultry farmers can reduce energy use is through heat recovery systems. These systems capture heat that would otherwise be lost from ventilation air and reuse it to warm incoming fresh air.
The Multiheat Xchanger is a large-capacity Dry Heat Recovery System. The air filters are cleaned automatically via a compressed air cleaning cycle, meaning that no water is used, which is convenient for the UK climate. This bypasses the issue of extra dirty water, that accumulates when water is used to clean the filters.
CFE has installed the Multiheat Xchanger in recently commissioned poultry houses in Notts, where the Units convey recovered heat to them at a rate of ~36,000 m³ per hour.
Current data from the site is showing a consistent 10ºc increase from ambient temperature using the MultiHeat Xchanger, even during the previous month’s cold snap.
The Multiheat X Changer offers a 50 - 65% saving on heating costs, while keeping an optimum inside climate for poultry. This not only cuts fuel bills but also improves the internal environment for birds.
By reducing the workload on heating equipment, heat recovery systems can also extend the lifespan of boilers and lower maintenance costs over time.
Burning Recycled Waste Woodchip as Fuel in Biomass Boilers
Many poultry farms have already begun integrating renewable energy, with around a third now using technologies such as solar PV or biomass heating. For those using biomass, fuel choice is key to maximising both cost savings and sustainability.
Wood pellet is often used as fuel in biomass boilers, but a cheaper and more sustainable option is recycled woodchip.
Recycled woodchip can be burned in non-IED (Industrial Emissions Directive) boilers, i.e. biomass boilers with a max 1.5MW thermal input. The wood must be ISO EN 17225-4 compliant to be burned as a fuel. Fuel must be tested through accredited schemes such as Woodsure to ensure compliance.
Examples of recycled wood include pallets, transport crates/boxes, wooden packaging, cable reels, and clean construction wood.
Burning ISO EN 17225-4 compliant graded recycled woodchip instead of wood pellets in a biomass boiler, carries these benefits:
Lower purchase cost: recycled waste woodchip costs only ~3 pence per kWh, compared to:
LPG: ~8p/kWh
Wood pellet: ~7p/kWh
Kerosene oil ~7p/kWh
Domestically produced: recycled waste woodchip can be produced locally, meaning its market price is much less volatile as it is not impacted by external markets. Waste wood also can be chipped with a mobile chipper on site or locally, reducing air/travel miles, while supporting local business.
Higher feedstock flexibility: you can switch between waste or virgin wood as a fuel source in the same biomass boiler, as long as it’s compliant.
CFE is exhibiting at Pig & Poultry on 13th and 14th May 2026. There we can answer any of your questions in person about heat recovery; biomass boilers and fuels; pyrolysis and gasification.
For more information in the meantime, please visit our website by clicking the button below, or contact Jules on 07811 199 585.
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