A number of buildings owned and ran by the National Trust are in line for energy efficient changes.
Over the past ten years, the trust has already invested in renewable technologies like solar electricity and water, as well as small-scale wind pumps. However, this new phase of investment could see a huge roll out of technologies if the pilot scheme is successful.
Some 43 buildings over five sites are in line for renewable changes, which consists of hydro, biomass and heat pumps.
The scheme is being conducted in conjunction with the electricity supplier Good Energy at a cost of £3.5 million. However, if the pilot scheme is successful, the Trust could spend ten times this amount as it aims to have 50 per cent of site energy powered by renewable technology.
It has been suggested by the charity that with an increase in the roll out of energy efficiency technology, the Trust can halve their fossil fuel consumption by 2020 and save £4 million a year on bill payments. This saving will be used towards conservation projects.
Patrick Begg, rural enterprises director at National Trust, said: “Through our work we show that renewable technologies can be made to work in some of the country’s most sensitive landscapes and historic environments.
“Like householders everywhere we are facing rising energy bills. We spend more than £6 million each year heating and powering the places in our care,” he added.
Mr Begg concluded that the future plans will see renewable energy as a major part of their future conservation work.
Sites set to include the technology include Plas Newydd, Croft Castle, Ickworth, Craflwyn and Stickle Ghyll.
The projects will see different renewable energy pumps installed, between 36kW and 300kW. Each technological installation will either provide a percentage of the site's energy needs, or will feed generated energy back into the National Grid, meaning that the Trust can benefit from the government's feed in tariff.