A study is underway to assess the green electricity potential of old mills, reservoirs and rivers in Lancashire.
The Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is conducting research with local councils before urging farmers and landowners to consider investing in renewable energy systems such as small-scale hydro-electricity plants.
A similar scheme in the Yorkshire Dales National Park has led to a number of micro generation schemes.
“We hope that once landowners and communities have this information it will help to convince them that renewable energy is good value for money as well as being good for the environment,” Cathy Hopley, development and funding officer for the Forest of Bowland, told the Lancashire Evening Post.
Last month, a survey revealed that 80% of farmers want to have solar panels on their roofs by 2013.
The survey found that 88% of farmers are currently considering installing renewable systems on their farm, where large buildings can provide ample space for solar panels.
Also in December the Committee on Climate Change called for more widespread use of carbon-efficient practices on farms. The CCC identified scope for cutting agriculture emissions by up to 20% over the next two decades through a range of more efficient farming practice, both as regards livestock and the application of fertiliser to soils.
In November, the government announced a £12.6m fund to examine how agriculture contributes to climate change.