THE official switch-on of three renewable energy technologies at a community centre in Merton will be marked by West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox on World Environment Day (tomorrow).

Clinton Hall has 22 new solar panels on the roof to generate electricity and four new solar thermal panels to provide hot water. Geothermal energy will also power a new ground source heat pump, using heat trapped below ground, for under-floor heating.

Together, the renewable energy projects are expected to save almost ten tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. A display panel inside the hall has live data showing how much energy is being generated on site.

The £85,283 cost of the renewable energy project was met by £37,847 from the Government's Low Carbon Building's Programme, £28,385 from EDF Energy's Green Fund, £10,470 from Renewable Energy 4 Devon and £9,060 from the hall's funds.

Mr Cox will visit the community centre at noon tomorrow to launch the project.

He said: 'Community schemes like these are an excellent way of raising awareness of micro-generation. The green benefits are obvious, but in these times of high energy bills, installing these devices is an excellent way of saving a lot of money.'

Tim Horner, from Clinton Hall's management committee, which led the project, said: 'We are one of the first community halls in Devon to have a combination of these three renewable energy technologies. It feels brilliant to have completed this project.

'Apart from the environmental benefits, we are hoping we can reduce our overall costs, which is vital for the future viability of the hall. We already use low energy light bulbs and the hall is well insulated but we wanted to make it a green hall.

'We hope this project will inspire people to make the energy savings which everyone is capable of achieving.'

Jo Steven, who leads EDF Energy's Green Fund, said: 'We are proud to support this project at Clinton Hall, which we hope will encourage interest in renewable energy technology.

'We hope this project will leave a lasting legacy on the environment by increasing awareness about renewable energy and perhaps inspire visitors to consider how each of them can also take action to reduce their own impact on the environment.

'Not all of us can install solar panels or ground source heat pumps but we can all reduce our carbon footprint.'

The hall provides facilities for social activities, meetings and a pre-school. It also acts as a sports hall for Clinton Primary School and is booked for private events.