Exmoor National Park in South West England has installed a biomass boiler to boost its carbon-neutral commitment.
The installation means the centre will be able to produce electricity from logs sourced from "the Authority's sustainably managed woods."
The new boiler will supply renewable heat and hot water for the whole site, including the classrooms and accommodation units.
The project has been funded by £115,211 (€132,747) from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which is run by the UK's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and delivered by Salix Finance.
It will deliver 605 tonnes of CO2 savings over its lifetime, which is more than 30 tonnes of CO2 per year, according to Exmoor National Park.
Andrea Davis, Chairman of Exmoor National Park Authority and Cabinet member for Climate change in Devon, said: “This is a real boost to Exmoor National Park Authority’s climate action plan and net zero commitments.
“Added to our switch to electric vehicles, and the existing solar panels and wind turbine at Pinkery, this will help us to continue to provide sustainable, inspirational, and wellbeing-orientated activities.”
Davis added: “I am so pleased that, with the help of Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding to support our net-zero carbon commitment, we can continue the great work that happens at Pinkery, fostering a vital connection between our local landscape and generations now and into the future.”
Senior Energy and Carbon Analyst Nadim El Bakri at Salix Finance said: “Salix is delighted to support Exmoor National Park Authority and Pinkery Outdoor Learning Centre and join them in this journey of decarbonisation.
“This project has been inspirational because it looks not only at the carbon reduction, but at the wider environment and how the work impacts the whole community.
“The funding, as well as the support we offer at Salix, will mean that the park and the centre can become more eco-friendly, reduce carbon emissions and support the net zero agenda.”
The works, together with the addition to the centre’s electric vehicles, its on-site wind turbine, solar panels and increased battery provision to power equipment, will bring Exmoor National Park Authority ever closer to its Carbon Neutral Goals, according to the organisation.
Exmoor National Park installs biomass boiler
