Renewable Energy
Exmoor has an abundant renewable energy resource. A renewable energy assessment recently undertaken by Climate Action West in developing the Exmoor National Park Carbon Neutral Programme has indicated that the potential supply of renewable energy exceeds local demand.
There are already examples in the National Park of the successful use of modern renewable energy technologies. For example, there are a number of small wind turbines deployed including the 15kW turbine owned by Exmoor National Park Authority which generates a significant proportion of the electricity used at our Pinkery education centre. There are a small but growing number of hydropower schemes within the National Park including the 300kw system at Glen Lyn Gorge on the West Lyn. The world’s first open-sea tidal turbine was installed off the coast of Lynmouth in 2003 as part of a technology trial. The take up of solar technologies is also increasing and Cutcombe Parish Church recently installed solar PV panels on its roof to become the first church in Exmoor to be generating renewable electricity. Exmoor’s woodlands have always been an abundant source of wood fuel, but in recent years, a growing number of ‘high tech’ automated wood heating systems have been installed in the National Park.
Much more needs to be done to speed up the rate at which renewable energy technologies are deployed in the National Park. At the same time in exploiting our renewable energy resource we need to be mindful of not damaging the wildlife and natural beauty for which National Park status was awarded.
To help communities and land managers interested in installing renewable energy technologies, Exmoor National Park Authority has set up the Carbon Neutral Exmoor project.
As part of the Dartmoor and Exmoor Low Carbon Festival 2009, a renewable energy study tour was organised by the Devon Association of Renewable Energy (DARE), part-funded by the Exmoor National Park Sustainable Development Fund. As part of this project, DARE produced some renewable energy case studies featuring various technologies that have been deployed in Exmoor National Park.
To find out more about the various renewable energy technologies, please visit the Energy Saving Trust’s website.