The National Trust (NT) is making a £30 million investment in renewable energy to heat and power more of their historic properties.
The NT writes:
We’re making our biggest ever investment in renewable energy to heat and power more of the historic places we look after.
The £30 million investment follows the successful completion of five renewable energy projects at properties in our care – part of a £3.5 million pilot we launched with Good Energy in 2013.
The projects included a biomass boiler at Ickworth in Suffolk, which was officially switched on today by Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. The new boiler has replaced a 5,000 litre oil tank in the grounds, removing the risk of contamination from oil leaks.
Using wood fuel sourced directly from the estate has created an even bigger conservation dividend. As well as the mansion becoming self-sufficient in heat, the new woodland being planted to secure future fuel is also reinstating lost design features from the Grade II listed park and gardens. The more actively managed woodlands will also create better, bigger habitats and improve nature conservation.
Our renewable energy ambitions
The commitment to invest £30 million in renewable energy marks a milestone in reaching our targets to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, cut energy usage by 20 per cent and source 50 per cent of our energy from renewable sources on land we look after by 2020.
Our renewable energy programme could also help save up to £4 million on our energy costs each year. Electricity generated from some of the projects will be sold to the grid providing us with a source of income. Coupled with the savings made, this will allow us to spend more money on our vital conservation work.
