An Aberdeen-based company has revealed plans to build one of the most energy-efficient and sustainable buildings in the UK - 10 years ahead of UK Government targets to have all new-builds zero carbon by 2019.

The £3 million Active Renewable Energy Centre will incorporate the latest building techniques and technological advances to have a zero carbon footprint.

And once the building is completed, the data on its energy consumption and savings will be made available to industry and as an educational resource to help cut carbon emissions in future.

The Active Renewable Energy Centre will be the new HQ of innovative business Active, which specialises in delivering sustainable low energy solutions, air conditioning, ventilation and building maintenance services to the construction industry.

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Active managing director Ian Nicol unveiled details of the building at Active's stand at All-Energy 08 in Aberdeen, the UK's biggest renewables conference.

The building will be in a prime site overlooking the sea, in the Minto Commercial Park, Altens, Aberdeen, and is due to be completed early in 2009.

It has been designed to take advantage of natural light and ventilation meaning less energy is needed to heat and cool the premises and the actual position of the building has been chosen to capture the maximum potential energy from solar panels on the roof.

Ian Nicol started Active in 1999 with just himself and an engineer. He believes passionately in promoting energy efficiency both for the environmental benefits and to cut costs for business. Today his company employs more than 97 people in its bases in Aberdeen and Inverness, working on contracts all over the country.

(JM)