SOME of Cornwall’s leading hotel resorts are shining a light on their new energy saving equipment in a bid to encourage others to go green.

China Fleet Country Club in Saltash, The Bedruthan in Newquay and Merchants Manor in Falmouth are just three of Cornwall’s tourism providers who have taken steps to cut back on energy consumption with help from new technology by Liskeard-based ZLC Energy.

Richard Wakefield IT and Technical Services Manager, said: "The Scarlet and The Bedruthan are world renowned as sustainable businesses. It is important for us to invest in low energy technology.

“It was a no brainer to install the panels and ZLC gave us a very good service. We want to work with companies that are sustainable and are going to be around a long time, like us.”

A solar array plus combined heat and power (CHP) units were recommended for each company by ZLC Energy to cope with their constant demand for energy while reducing costs.

Matthew Shepherd, managing director at ZLC said: “When you look at these magnificent hotels and resorts you are dealing with everything from swimming pools to 18 hole golf courses. That’s not to mention the restaurants, conference rooms and of course the rooms themselves.

“The CHP Unit is able to produce two forms of energy at the same time from one gas supply, for example, heat for the pool and electrical power for the rest of the hotel. Its the perfect solution for the tourism industry, as well as care homes and leisure facilities”

Going green is also helping these businesses to save the ‘green’. The CHP Units have helped to slash their bills. For China Fleet this was to the tune of £50,000 a year.

“Saving the planet and money at the same time makes sense for so many reasons,” said Dean Bennett managing director of China Fleet Country Club.

“The whole process has been seamless and allowed us to carry on our day-to-day business without interruption.”

Nick Rudlin, owner of Merchants Manor Hotel, added: “At the Merchants Manor, the ZLC Energy’s team worked tirelessly around the active hotel full of guests to fully re-new our heating system with very little disruption. We have lovely hot pressurised water throughout the hotel further improving our guest experience.”

The hotel has recently become the first in the UK to join a global project aiming to create a

“sustainable future for us all” organised by the NOW Force for Good Alliance.

Matthew added: “The team at Merchants Manor have done a great job at making sustainability a priority, while boosting business performance and we’re proud to have played a part in helping them do that.”

For more information please visit www.zlcenergy.co.uk or call 01726 390390.