Perth & Kinross Council's has launched the first biomass heating system in a council building at Pitlochry High School.

Installed in late 2008, the biomass boiler system provides energy-efficient heating and hot water by burning woodchips, locally sourced just two miles from the school.

It will help to reduce carbon emissions on site, with the change from fossil fuels to biomass making initially estimated savings of 131 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Since the new system was installed, 109 tonnes of CO2 have been saved, enough to fill 648 double-decker buses or 81 Olympic-sized swimming pools, making an important contribution to the Council's aim to reduce emissions from its buildings.

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The £185,000 project has been supported by £15,000 grant funding from the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust.

A range of individuals and organisations interested in energy conservation were invited to visit Pitlochry High School to find out more about biomass and its benefits.

In the coming months, the environmental and energy-saving impact will continue as the Council installs more biomass heating systems at other locations in Perth and Kinross. Alyth Primary School will get a new woodchip-powered boiler this year, and biomass will also provide heating and hot water at three of the six new community campuses in Aberfeldy, Blairgowrie and Crieff.

Council Leader, Councillor Ian Miller, commented: "The introduction of the biomass heating system at Pitlochry High School is a prime example of the many initiatives the Council is taking forward to help conserve energy and provide environmentally sustainable services in the community.

"The provision of fuel for these biomass installations will also create and sustain local employment within the rural areas of Perth and Kinross. I am delighted this is the first of several biomass systems we will be installing, in our schools and in our new community campuses, making good use of the natural resources on our doorstep."

(GK/BMcC)