WORLD Environment Day was marked at Merton on Friday when West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox officially launched the new green energy supply at the Clinton Hall.

Mr Cox said he was delighted to see that the hall not only had photovoltaic panels across the roof to generate electricity, but also solar thermal panels to provide hot water and a ground source heat pump for under-floor heating.

The new energy supply is estimated to save almost ten tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, and has been made possible through grants from the Government, EDF Energy Green Fund, Renewable Energy 4 Devon, and the hall's own funds.

Mr Cox said: 'I am delighted to launch the Clinton Hall renewable energy project. It is a fantastic example for many other similar projects that could learn from and be inspired by what has been achieved in Merton.

'I believe strongly in the capacity for microgeneration to play a major role in reducing carbon emissions. It is essential that the government should create the conditions for the huge popular take-up of microgeneration that has happened in other countries by introducing a feedback tariff that pays individuals properly for supplying small amounts of electricity to the grid.

'It is already clear to me that the local people of Devon are doing a great deal to take advantage of and contribute to the very important renewable energy sector wherever they can.'