National Trust extends its use of renewables

The National Trust has announced its biggest ever investment, of £30mn, in renewable energy to heat and power more of its historic places. The announcement follows the successful completion of five renewable energy projects at National Trust properties – part of a £3.5mn pilot launched with Good Energy in 2013.

The investment marks a milestone towards reaching the Trust’s targets to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cut energy usage by 20% and source 50% from renewable sources on its land by 2020. The Trust’s renewable energy programme could also help save up to £4mn on its energy costs each year. Electricity generated from some of the projects will be sold to the grid, providing the charity with a source of income.

The National Trust is investing in more than 40 further projects, which include:

• a 200 kW lake source heat pump heating project at the Blickling Estate in Norfolk, which will replace oil heating;
• two biomass boilers at Upton House in Warwickshire; and
• a 250 kW hydro-electric scheme at Hayeswater in Cumbria, where there is a legacy of hydropower from historic corn mills and water wheels.

These new projects follow the completion of the five pilots which include a biomass boiler at Ickworth in Suffolk. The new boiler has replaced an oil-fired system and will use wood fuel sourced directly from the estate.