"Zero energy" park gets green light

The UK’s first zero-energy cost business park is to be built in Wigan following investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The £2.7million business park, to be built at Swan Lane in Hindley Green Industrial Estate, will provide nine business units where tenants will not have to pay any gas, electricity or water costs due to the environmental technologies used.

The ERDF has committed £1.3m to the scheme, which will lead to a brownfield site of around half a hectare being redeveloped by Prestwich-based Armstrong Properties.

It will create around 21,000 sq ft of business space within three industrial sheds – each of which can be subdivided into three further units ranging in size from around 1,250 sq ft to 3,500 sq ft. Once complete, it is hoped that the units will provide around 65 new jobs.

Dave Armstrong, managing director of Armstrong Properties, said: “We are using 12 low and zero carbon technologies, some of which have never been used before. 

“This truly exemplar scheme will raise the bar in terms of sustainability for property development and create an amazing opportunity for occupiers to slash running costs for their businesses.”

Electricity will be supplied by a wind turbine and photovoltaic systems, while rainwater will be collected and filtered in order to meet water demand. Other electricity and gas costs will be met by the government ‘green’ incentive programme (feed in tariffs).

Meters will be installed to let businesses see how much energy their buildings are generating and how much energy they are using.

In addition, green technologies including photovoltaic cells, Energi-panel cladding systems (which take sunlight and convert into usable heat to reduce the need for warm air heaters) and heat exchange technology to provide carbon free cooling will dramatically cut the energy costs within units.

David Malpass, Head of the European Programme, said:

“ERDF aims to support green technologies in the region and Swan Lane will be a shining example of best practice using the very latest in these technologies.

“The demonstration centre will be a fantastic tool to support regional businesses to create innovative new products for a market with huge potential, and the whole site will encourage businesses to adopt energy efficiency measures themselves.

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