Healthy vision at Wiltshire as it turns to biomass technology

“We have seen a significant improvement in the heating at the sites, with customers and staff benefitting from a more consistent and comfortable space.”

Just like its leisure centre members, Wiltshire Council has set ambitious and healthy targets.

Whilst gym goers may be intent on strengthening their bones and muscles, the council is focused on the health of the climate.

As part of its plan to reach net zero by 2030, twenty years ahead of the government goal, the council has been hard at work implementing a range of additional energy efficient measures. 

To reach this net zero goal, the council introduced works that would reduce the energy bills and carbon emissions at Lime Kiln Leisure Centre and Warminster Sports Centre. 

And to do this the council tapped into government funding.

Wiltshire used their £466,467 grant from Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, to replace outdated and inefficient gas boilers with biomass boilers. 

The funding scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by our Salix team.

Biomass boilers run on a renewable energy source called biomass fuel which is developed from organic matter including wood, which would otherwise be dumped in landfills or openly burned. Wood pellets will serve as the sole source of fuel in the case of these sites. Pellet boilers can run automatically in much the same way that gas or oil boilers operate.

However, it does not stop at boilers and biomass for the council.

Solar panels have also been installed at 19 council buildings, including leisure centres, libraries, and depots. The council introduced an air to water source heat pump and solar panels to Warminster Library and air source heat pumps at Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre in Salisbury, Corsham Campus, and the Olympiad in Chippenham. 

All council sites are now supplied with green energy through the green tariff scheme. 

Tariffs are verified as green when all of the units of electricity are 'matched' with units generated from a renewable energy source such as wind farms or solar array. 

To prioritise the wellbeing of the community, the leisure centres have remained open throughout the project, with minimal impact to users. 

The council says the new upgrades will play a part in optimising the user experience by improving the heating of the buildings and the comfort provided to its customers. So whether people are visiting the swimming pools, gyms or squash courts they can enjoy properly heated environments.

The project is estimated to save more than 325 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Energy manager at Wiltshire Council, Viviene Sawyerr said: “We have seen a significant improvement in the heating at the sites, with customers and staff benefitting from a more consistent and comfortable space. 

“To cut carbon emissions alongside this has been a brilliant achievement and we are grateful for Salix’s support in helping us deliver this vital Government funding.”

Programme coordinator at Salix, Lauren Golley, said: “Wiltshire’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2030 made this an exciting project to work on as it was just one of many projects that Wiltshire has completed during their decarbonisation journey. 

“It was great to work with a council who is so devoted to improving public spaces with sustainable technologies for the local community.