Energy company E.ON has given a £30,000 grant under its new SOURCE community initiative towards the cost of installing a renewable energy woodchip boiler at the Slapton Ley Field Centre in Kingsbridge, Devon.

The field centre attracts thousands of visitors each year who enjoy a range of educational and environmental opportunities, from guided walks to week-long residential courses, and also manages the Slapton Ley Nature Reserve in partnership with the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust.

The money will be used to help pay for the design and installation of a 100kW woodchip boiler.

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Tony Jenkin Jones, Community Relations Executive at E.ON, said: "We're delighted to be able to contribute towards this exciting project for The Slapton Ley Field Centre as part of our new SOURCE scheme, which is designed to help community groups get their sustainable energy projects off the ground.

"They're looking to replace their existing oil boiler with woodchip technology in order to reduce their carbon emissions, to minimise their impact on the environment, and to make significant cost savings."

The project will provide a demonstration of how alternative energy can be used as an integral part of residential accommodation through educational visits and public open days.

The automated woodchip boiler will provide both heating and hot water for four existing buildings on the centre grounds, including classrooms and accommodation facilities.

It is expected that the woodchip boiler system will save the emission of up to 53 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, as well as helping to support the development of the woodchip industry in South Devon.

(CD/JM)