Pictured: Lucie Bowler with Kris Moors

A Midlands egg supplier, concerned with the rising cost of electricity prices, has launched a new business providing renewable energy solutions in the form of wind turbines and PV installations.

Derbyshire-based John Bowler's Eggs has been setting up land owners to produce free range eggs for over 30 years but became increasing concerned about the increasing electricity costs involved in running the business. Following their own extensive research into alternative energy sources, the company identified a gap in the market for advice and guidance on renewable energy and quickly realised this was something that could benefit their own customers and any other businesses  who would be facing the same challenges.

With financial support from Barclays Corporate, John Bowler's Eggs has launched 'Bowler Energy' which provides a full consultancy on renewable projects to generate electricity , save costs and raise revenue. Bowler Energy offers a full turnkey package to anyone considering a renewable energy project, including the planning process, installation and ongoing maintenance as  they already had extensive experience and in-house expertise to support customers.

As well as the environmental benefits, it allows a company to fix its energy costs, earn income from excess electricity produced and allows access to Government subsidies which are linked to the retail price index.

Mick Thomas, at Bowler Energy said: "We have been in the business of setting people up to produce free range eggs for over 30 years and electricity costs are at an all-time high. We needed to find an alternative solution and began our research. This led us to understand the need for renewable energy experts and decided that not only could we share what we had learned with our own customers and suppliers but with the wider industry. Having installed our own wind turbine and ground and roof mounted PV systems, we have seen the direct benefits it can bring to a business and are already involved in a further sixty projects nationwide."

Kris Moors, Relationship Director at Barclays Corporate said: "John Bowler's Eggs is a great example of a business that has widened its offering and diversified into an area in great demand. I look forward to watching the business flourish in coming years."

John Bowler's Eggs is based in Derbyshire where it employs 82 staff and has 165 free range egg producers across the country.  Bowler Energy has already created vacancies within the company and as the company grows further recruitment is envisaged.

One of the businesses which have been supported by Bowler Energy Limited is Shropshire-based P N and S M Pugh who have been farming free range egg s since 2004. The husband and wife partnership currently have over 12,000 hens and were also concerned about the rising fuel costs. They took the decision to contact Bowler's who discussed their requirements and provided advice on the appropriate energy source.

The business has recently installed an 11kw wind turbine and is currently in the processing of applying for planning permission for the installation of a 49.35kw photovoltaic system. This system will generate approximately 38,700kWh with projected annual benefits of £14,880 with an 8.6 year payback and 11.6% return.