The popular Kelburn waterfall which has been an eye-catching landmark for many years could in turn be a major resource for a new energy efficiency project at the estate.

Kelburn Estate have taken advantage of a free ‘resource efficiency’ programme open to businesses in North Ayrshire to reduce soaring energy and waste bills and continue their legacy of sustainability.

The Sustainable Process Improvement programme (‘SPI’), delivered by the Crichton Carbon Centre in partnership with North Ayrshire Council, has the potential to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of the historic buildings located around the visitor centre area and extend the castle’s renewables portfolio as it moves up to the green stratosphere. Senior manager Jared Bowers is enthusiastic about the programme and what it could mean for Kelburn. He said: “When we were approached about the project we couldn’t believe it was free with no strings. It represents a significant opportunity to improve the operations at Kelburn and make them more sustainable.” The programme involves a baseline footprint of resources such as energy, water, transport and waste being calculated by one of the programme’s business advisors and recommendations being made on how to reduce this, cutting costs as well as carbon emissions.

It will almost certainly refer to upgrading the country centre’s outbuildings with secondary glazing, energy efficient lighting and insulation as well as the bigger moves around renewables.

A district biomass system would serve the close cluster of buildings exceptionally well, potentially being fed by wood from the estate grounds.

The estate’s famous waterfall has the potential to house a hydro scheme which could provide electricity for the whole estate. The renewables aspect could not only also pay for the more basic measures by providing a handy funding stream through the Feed In Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive but could in itself become a visitor attraction.

Jared continued: “The estate has a magical quality which draws people from far and wide. Part of the attraction is the natural beauty it is set in. To harness that and have the day to day running of Kelburn a by-product of the power we could produce here would be something outstanding; truly monumental.” For more information on the Sustainable Process Improvement (‘SPI’) programme and how it could benefit your business please visit. www.sustainableprocessimprovement.co.uk or call 01387 702347