Beacon Energy’s objectives are to demonstrate and promote sustainability, to promote public awareness about global warming and to encourage the reduction of CO2 emissions.
We practice what we preach – our premises operate independently from the national electricity grid and our overall energy consumption is less than half the average for office buildings in the UK.
Whittle Hill Farm buildings
Beacon Energy is based at Whittle Hill Farm Buildings (
). In 1994 work was started to restore and convert the 250m2 of obsolete farm buildings into offices in a way that was sympathetic to the environment and that would reflect the ethical philosophies of Beacon Energy. The work transformed the buildings, creating uniquely peaceful offices in the heart of the countryside, which are both energy efficient and sustainable. Whittle Hill Farm Buildings provide the staff of Beacon Energy with the rare opportunity to carry out their day to day work activities in the knowledge that they are not damaging the environment.
West Beacon Farm
Our site at West Beacon Farm () is often described as being one of the world’s best examples of sustainable energy utilisation, it features many different interlinked renewable energy technologies and enables Beacon Energy to be independent from the national grid and fossil fuels.
We have hundreds of visitors each year, from school children to MPs and Councillors to Local/National Interest Groups, this gives us the opportunity to try to understand some of the issues relating to personal/national perception of renewable energy and sustainability and the reluctance to implement changes. The positive comments and follow up contact we receive from visitors confirm that we are succeeding to encourage responsible change at both personal and public levels.
We offer guided tours of West Beacon Farm and welcome school groups of any age.
Renewable Energy Education
The state-of-the art technologies at West Beacon Farm and Whittle Hill Farm Buildings provide research opportunities for the renewable energy centres at Loughborough University, De Montfort University and Nottingham University, all of which have developed with support and collaboration with Beacon Energy, and offer internationally renowned MSc courses (
) in different aspects of renewable energy.