Village Fuel Plans Heat Up ; CeS North East Community Energy Solutions

DETAILED plans to connect more than 100 homes in a picturesque village to a community biomass-fired boiler have been unveiled.

The plans, by Community Energy Solutions, bring the region one step closer to breaking barriers for renewable technology.

The properties, in the east-end of Middleton-in-Teesdale, were earmarked for the ambitious project that would see not only households but also the village hall and primary school connected.

The system operates by burning environmentally friendly and sustainable wood chips in a central boiler house, from which heat is distributed in the form of hot water through an underground network of pipes.

Plans for the proposals have been put to the entire village, which has responded with a massive vote in favour. The project is being masterminded by the non-profit distributing organisation, CES.

CES was set up with funding from the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and One North East to deliver affordable warmth measures to offgas communities across the North East.

It works in areas where households spend more than 10% of their income on heating their homes and water supplies.

David Lacey, operations director for CES, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for those villagers to be part of something that has never previously been attempted on this scale in the UK. We are pushing the boundaries of environmentally friendly fuel supplies with this project.”

Due to its remoteness, residents in Middleton-in-Teesdale have had to rely on expensive, cumbersome and environmentally unfriendly fuel sources.

The community biomass system is expected to help slash the fuel bills of the 100 homes involved.

The project is being supported by a number of partners, including Durham County Council, Teesdale District Council, Teesdale Housing Association, Home Group and Northumberland based North Energy Ltd, which specialises in the planning of renewable energy.

David Lacey added: “Our commitment in Middleton-in-Teesdale is not just about the 100 homes involved in this scheme.

Ideally we would have all 500 properties using renewable energy sources. It is a very exciting part of the project.”

For further details on CES visit www.Communityenergysolutions.org.uk

(c) 2008 Evening Chronicle – Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.