ABERDEEN firm Active has opened its new headquarters, said to be one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the UK.
The £3million Active Renewable Energy Centre will generate all the energy it requires by the end of this year through a range of technologies, including a wind turbine and a road energy system which gathers heat. There are also solar panels and ground and air-source heat pumps on the site at Minto Commercial Park, Altens.
Active anticipates it will have one of only a handful of self-sufficient buildings in the UK in terms of energy use, selling on any excess electricity.
Ian Nicol, managing director of Active, said: “From the ground-up this building has been designed to be extremely efficient.
“Its exact position on the site has been chosen to maximise the potential of the solar panels on the roof and internally it makes the most of natural light and ventilation.
“Because the building is so efficient at regulating temperature, it needs much less energy to function.
“The energy we do need all comes from renewable sources giving us a drastic reduction in both CO emissions and fuel bills.”
Active provides sustainable energy systems for commercial and residential construction projects, specialising in micro-renewables and efficient air-conditioning and ventilation. It has offices in Aberdeen and Inverness and employs 100-plus people.
