In four years Cornwall’s Eden wants to reduce emissions by 55%, which is also a reduction of 80% in CO2 against a 2008 baseline.

A raft of new efficiency measures designed to cut its CO2 emissions by a quarter during the next two years.

Among the energy reduction measures is what’s claimed to be the biggest installation of LED light in the country.

About 746 new LED have also be installed across Ede, which will save in the region of 51 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Eden’s energy manager, Matt Hastings, will install a new building management system to drive home the cuts.

He says the system will operate like a ‘giant TV remote’ allowing for tight control of heat and electricity consumption.

These changes, Mr Hastings’ hopes, will greatly increase efficiency and reduce Eden’s footprint by 694 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Mr Hastings said: “While renewables are very important, the most critical tool in the box is a focused commitment to reducing consumption.

“All businesses and households are vulnerable to price changes in the energy market and with the potential cost of carbon starting to act as another factor, we have to invest today to protect ourselves from risk in the future.

“The UK will lose around 25% of its electricity generation capacity by the end of the decade and while the lights might not go out, shortages of supply will increase price.

“It makes complete sense to be prepared well in advance of any energy crunch and with the unstable oil market still dictating other energy markets the future is too uncertain to be complacent.”

Other new equipment being installed is a gas-fired boiler system to reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 231 tonnes per year, replacing an old oil-fired system.

Smaller, highly efficient boilers will be installed in Eden’s energy centre – the hub for electricity and gas at Eden – and the Visitor Centre and should save CO2 of 182 tonnes a year.

Luke Walsh

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe