Winton’s natural resources offer many opportunities for renewable energy contributions. These began with the need for heat for Winton Castle and the adjoining six cottages which culminated in investing in a district heating system run on wood chipped from estate timber by estate staff.
At the time, the nearest example to follow was by Fort William; we are now on our second woodchip boiler; by using woodchips in place of fossil fuels we displace around 200 tonnes annually of Carbon Dioxide.
The annual Winton Estate production of electricity from 90kw of solar panels and a 100kw wind turbine is adequate to power over 60 standard Scottish homes.
Solar energy trapped on shed roofs power a firewood log processor with any surplus electricity feeding the grid along with energy from a collection of solar panels on the roof of the common grain store.
Close-by is the Northern Power wind turbine connected to the national grid in 2015. As Broomrigg Farm is developed as a further tourism venue, renewable energy will be a key element in the design.