Located in Wigan, the £2.7m development Armstrong Point, was opened by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities Baroness Hanham who described the project as “exciting and innovative”.

The scheme comprises a range of renewable energy technologies including 90kWp solar photovoltaic (PV), a 6kW wind turbine, nine solar thermal hot water systems and nine heat pumps.

Hanham said: “Armstrong Point harnesses one very important priority, carbon emissions, while tackling another by supporting local businesses.”

North West renewable energy and energy efficiency firm Eco Environments helped the site in Hindley Green meet its energy saving goals.

Eco Environments director David Hunt said: “We worked closely with Armstrong Properties and Kingspan to ensure not only that the scheme was able to make use of the very best renewable energy technologies but also that it was delivered on time and to budget.

“We are confident that this will be the first of many similar projects across the UK as organisations increasingly put renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives at the centre of their business strategy.”

The park will create up to 65 new jobs on top of the 55 construction jobs while the site was being developed and its tenants will save an average of £2 per sq ft on their rent because they will have zero energy costs.

All of the business units have an energy performance certificate rating of A+ the development has also received a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) outstanding rating.

Wigan Council leader Lord Peter Smith said: “The history of Wigan is built on energy but we are moving into a different era with scarcer resources. We have aspirations for a low carbon future and this development is an excellent part of that.”

Conor McGlone

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