Westminster Abbey prays for energy saving

Westminster Abbey has responded to the Church of England (CoE) carbon reduction target of 80% by 2050 by installing voltage power optimisation (VOI) units on site.


According to powerPerfector, which installed two VOI units on the incoming energy supply for the Abbey’s air circulation system, known as the blowing chamber, the system will make the church’s energy supply more efficient and secure.

It is also anticipated that the new installations will cut bills by more than 12% – generating a saving of about £8,400 per year.

Westminster Abbey clerk of works Jim Vincent, said: “Our World Heritage status rules out intrusive measures such as solar panels and wind turbines so we examined numerous energy savings measures, but needed something that would not materially change the building.”

powerPerfector ceo Angus Robertson agreed, saying “risk is just not an option when you have to ensure that this historically important tourist attraction is more efficient, protected and always open for business.”

The move follows a rush of more than 100 churches to install photovoltaic (PV) panels before changes to the Feed-in tariffs (FITs) came into force last week.

Carys Matthews

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