A THEME park has boosted its green credentials by installing eco-friendly biomass heating systems, which will realise energy savings of about £130,000 a year.

The carbon-neutral energy scheme at Lightwater Valley, in North Stainley near Ripon, will see sustainable wood-pellets burned to create energy, following the installation of a large ground-mounted solar photovoltaic array on fields beside the park, which attracts about 500,000 visitors a year.

Managers at Lightwater Valley, home to Europe’s longest rollercoaster - The Ultimate - said the solar panels had become the source of up to 45 per cent of the park's electricity, while the boilers would help reduce its carbon footprint with more than 200 tonnes of CO2 savings.

The 400kW units, designed and fitted by Harrogate firm Think Renewable Energy Limited, have allowed the theme park to move away from an oil-based heating system to a cleaner set-up.

Biomass boilers, which derive energy from organic materials, are becoming increasingly popular in North Yorkshire as a cost-effective way to generate heat for businesses and commercial applications including agricultural buildings, community schemes and public sector buildings.

In May, South Otterington Church of England Primary School, near Northallerton, said its move to a biomass boiler would save more than £167,000 in fuel bills and 332 tonnes of carbon emissions over two decades.

Earlier this month, MGT Power announced work was set to start on its £650m Teesside Renewable Energy Plant at Teesport, which is expected to be one of the world’s largest biomass power stations, providing electricity for 600,000 homes by burning wood chips and pellets imported from Europe and the US.

Green campaigners say while fossil fuels take millions of years to form, biomass wood fuels are replaced as quickly as the trees re-grow, creating a closed carbon cycle, where trees being grown for fuel will absorb as much CO2 as those being burned for heat will release.

The Lightwater Valley project saw the creation of a number of eco-cabins which serve the park’s offices, theatre, retail and events hall.

The scheme was completed with the assistance of Lombard in Merseyside, which specialises in securing funding for renewable energy technologies, and is backed by the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme for commercial businesses.

Mark Bainbridge, general manager at Lightwater Valley, said: “Despite the huge strides made already, Lightwater Valley remains committed to maintaining its energy efficiency and finding ways to reduce its carbon footprint.”