Lady Dixon Park Goes Green!

7 Aug 2009

Belfast City Council is making the most of the beautiful natural environment at Lady Dixon Park this summer, with a little help from NIE’s Smart Programme!

The Council recently refurbished the stables buildings, which date back to the 18th Century, creating a restaurant on the ground floor and providing office accommodation for the Parks Department’s Conservation Unit.

As part of the Council’s plans to reduce carbon emissions, solar roof tiles have been installed on one of the buildings at the Park. These tiles not only reduce the Council’s carbon footprint, they also provide the majority of the electricity needed for the first floor offices during the summer months and make a significant contribution during the winter.

Funded by the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase Two, with top-up funding provided by Northern Ireland Electricity’s Smart Programme, the 6.24kW C21 solar tiles will produce around 5500 units of environmentally friendly electricity each year. That represents a saving of up to £700 on the site’s annual energy bill and a reduction of four tonnes of CO2 every year.

In visiting Lady Dixon Park this week to see the solar panels in action, Emma Gribben, NIE Energy, said, “We are delighted that Belfast City Council is looking at a long term sustainable energy plan for its buildings. The solar roof tiles are complemented by a range of energy saving measures, including energy efficient lighting, high levels of wall and ceiling insulation, automated controls on heating systems, and a biomass boiler, which provides heating and hot water for all the buildings on site, including the restaurant.

“NIE hopes that the solar array and display showing the units generated and CO2 saved located in the Stables Restaurant will encourage everyone who visits Lady Dixon Park to think about their own energy usage, and how renewable energy can play a valuable role in safeguarding our natural environment.”

Lady Dixon Park attracts over 300,000 visitors every year and is home to over 50,000 roses. Alistair Farrell, Property Officer, Belfast City Council believes that it is an ideal location for renewable energy technologies. He said, “I believe this is a first for Belfast City council, and with the success of this PV installation, we hope to have the opportunity to install many more renewable energy technologies throughout our buildings stock.”

To find out more about saving energy and renewable energy solutions for your home, community or business check out the NIE Energy website at www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk

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