Castle Drogo wins award for biomass boiler

Castle Drogo on Dartmoor has won an award for being one of the best examples of sustainable energy in the South West with its new biomass boiler.

One of eight winners, England’s last castle took home a highly-sought after Green Energy Award for its biomass boiler, in the category of ‘Best Renewable Energy Scheme’.

The new biomass boiler has reduced the Castle's annual carbon emissions by 150 tonnes and generated 1,000,000 kilowatt hours of renewable heat per year. It is easily accessible to 125,000+ visitors a year, and is included in visitor tours that further promote renewable energy. The fuel for the installation is supplied by a local woodchip supplier, with 50 per cent coming from the estate itself with 100 per cent by June 2010. Many members of the local community, other businesses and charities have also visited Drogo to have a look at the new boiler to see if our success can be replicated elsewhere.

The winners were chosen from a high-quality shortlist of entrants from across the region by an independent panel of judges who have expert knowledge in sustainable energy.

David Bailey, Castle Drogo Property Manager said: “We are thrilled at receiving this award; it’s a real credit to everyone who has been involved on this project. Our aim is to be free from fossil fuels by 2016 through using hydro and solar power and by reducing our energy requirements. Our new solar boiler has already reduced our fossil fuel needs by 50 percent. We not only want to be the last castle built in England but also the greenest!”