The National Trust was recognised for its commitment to renewable energy earlier this month, scooping the ‘Pioneer’ award at the Renewable Energy Association’s British Renewable Energy Awards 2010.
Beating off stiff competition from a shortlist of four high profile contenders, the Trust was recognised for the 140 renewable projects it has installed at its properties and for its new energy commitments; to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by 50 per cent by 2020, and to reduce overall energy consumption by 20 per cent by 2020 (from 2009 levels). This will be achieved by continuing to use a mix of solar, hydro and wind and replacing oil-fired heating with woodfuel bio-mass boilers and heat pumps.
The Trust’s renewable energy projects include photovoltaic solar slates at Kynance Cove in Cornwall; an Archimedes screw hydro turbine at Bonfield Ghyll in the North Yorkshire Moors; and the installation of 24 photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Grade I listed Dunster Castle in Somerset, which in sunny weather provide most of the castle’s daily electricity requirements. Biomass boilers have also replaced oil fired boilers at 44 sites, including the new visitor reception and tea-room at Scotney Castle in Kent. Each property is assessed to find the best energy solution for it; tailored to its needs, and to make the most of its own natural resources. Most of the Trust’s renewable projects have been funded either by npower or the Big Lottery Fund.
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