Energy company E.ON has given a £20,000 grant under its SOURCE community initiative to cover the cost of installing a carbon neutral biomass boiler at registered charity the Magdalen Project.

The cash will enable the education centre to swap its ageing LPG boilers for a new efficient and economical biomass system, burning woodchips to provide heating and hot water.

Jane Branscombe, Community Relations Manager with E.ON, said: "We're delighted to be able to contribute towards this exciting project for Chard as part of our new SOURCE scheme, which is designed to help community groups get sustainable energy projects off the ground.


"The Magdalen Project's work with groups of children and adults promoting greater understanding of sustainability gives it a particular interest in reducing its own carbon footprint, and we're confident that the addition of this biomass boiler courtesy of our grant will bring down its energy bills."

The new boiler system is expected to save the emission of 56 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year and will feature in the centre's educational demonstrations.

Magdalen Project Chief Executive, Gyles Morris, said: "This is fantastic news. The biomass boiler will provide a hugely important example of renewable energy production to the thousands of children and adults who visit us.

"It will be a vital factor in helping us to achieve our goal of total energy sustainability here at The Magdalen Project."

(CD/JM)