Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead, visited Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association's sheltered housing complex in Corpach last week to see their innovative biomass boiler in action.

In just a year, the boiler at Walter Cameron Way has reduced residents' heating charges by 40%.

The boiler was installed by Highland Wood Energy, a company specialising in commercial scale biomass projects.

Mr Lochhead said: "Seeing first hand how Scotland's burgeoning biomass industry is making an impact on homes, businesses and communities around the country is always encouraging - because it reveals exactly why renewable energy is the right way to go and why it continues to grow in popularity.


"Hanover's adoption of biomass technology has saved a lot of money in energy bills, but it has also gone some way to ensuring that the residents at Walter Cameron Way can look forward to an energy-secure future."

Helen Murdoch of Hanover said: "Lower fuel costs for residents and reducing the environmental impact of our housing are two of our top business priorities."

Bruno Berardelli, Managing Director of Highland Wood Energy said the boiler was "a perfect example of the benefits of renewable heat."

Picture: (l to r) Bruno Berardelli, Managing Director of Highland Wood Energy, Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and Graham Bennie, Senior Services Engineer at Hanover.

(NE)