Stately homes to go green
New plans from the National Trust have announced the use of solar panels and wind turbines on many of its stately homes and castles around the country.
The National Trust hopes to halve its energy use over the next year by expanding its current green initiative to include as much of its property portfolio as possible. Indeed, it already has around 140 renewable energy schemes already in use.
The Telegraph reports that the Trust's hope to reduce its energy use by 50 per cent in the next ten 10 years will go above and beyond national targets - saving around 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Such renewable projects are envisaged to offer those in building jobs with specific green expertise, the opportunity to work on some of the nation's most treasured sites. Solar panels, wind turbines and wood boilers are to be installed to many sites where such technologies will fit in with the 'historical integrity' of the site and environment, states Director General of the Trust, Fiona Reynolds.
Visitors to the 'greener' properties will also have the opportunity to learn how renewable technologies work and receive advice on how to make their own homes environmentally friendly. It is hoped that more visitors will be generated from the scheme, especially since the National Trust is enjoying a revival with the number of visitors in 2009 rising by 20 per cent compared to previous years.
Reynolds commented on the project, saying: ''The Trust has a special responsibility to look after the special places in our care forever, requiring us to make long term decisions that will protect them for future generations to enjoy''.
Author: Sarah Howard
Keywords: building jobs