LANCASHIRE'S textile history is known across the world, but one company is looking to the future with cutting edge technology.
New solar panels have been installed at Lantex Ltd, an Accrington company that specialises in sustainable bamboo textiles.
Lantex and neighbours Dalton Printers have installed solar panels on their roofs and they are already making significant savings. Together the two firms have completed the Oxford Court Renewable Energy Project, as part of Lancashire County Council's Small Scale Renewables Project.
This scheme is a great example of neighbouring companies co-operating to install renewable technology on the same site.
Since the photovoltaic panels were installed 5 years ago, David H from Lantex reports that it has generated 20,000 kW of energy, saved £4,000 of grid electricity and reduced 12 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
The project provides much of the factory's electricity needs during the working day and then sends excess power to the National Grid at evenings and weekends.
To mark the official launch, directors from the companies were joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth, along with County Councillor Michael Green, Cabinet member for Economic Development, Environment and Planning; Graham Jones, Hyndburn MP; and Miles Parkinson, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council. Other guests included the directors of the contracting company, Renewable Solutions of Liverpool.
David from Lantex said: "We are grateful to the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire for opening the project. We hope it will be recognised as a beacon example to other small firms as to how easy and rewarding it is to generate electricity from their roof. Any companies that wish to see the installation are welcome to visit us."
Lord Shuttleworth added: "The project is a very good example of a combined public and private sector initiative. The use of modern technology has enabled Lantex Manufacturing and Daltons Printers to be a showpiece micro generation project."
County Councillor Michael Green said: "The current economic situation means that many companies are looking carefully at their finances. But by investing in renewable energy now, these businesses are protecting themselves from the rising energy costs of tomorrow."
Lancashire County Council has helped 23 local businesses with more than £260,000 of investment through the Lancashire Small Scale Renewables Scheme.
These businesses have matched their grants with over half a million pounds to install wind turbines, heat pumps and solar panels for hot water and electricity.
Lantex were established in 1918 and have a factory in Accrington. They make environmentally-friendly bamboo fabric nappy liners, bags for life and polythene bag recycling tubes made from cotton for the home.
Lantex's sister company Bamboo Textiles Ltd make and market textile baby products, bed linen and children's pyjamas. They hope to create up to 10 jobs over the next two years.
23rd May 2016, 19:38
