The Croft School in Stratford-upon-Avon took advantage of an AMP Clean Energy agreement to fund, install and operate a new biomass heat system which supplies all their heating and hot water needs. The School did not need to provide any upfront costs and simply pays for the sustainable, low cost heat it uses.

The AMP Clean Energy agreement is operated through what is known as an Energy Services Company (ESCO), which is open to schools and other organisations who require a boiler replacement for their heat and hot water. In addition to funding the boiler, a team of experts from AMP Clean Energy also take care of boiler service and maintenance through the arrangement, taking away all operational hassle and strain from the school. The Croft School also receives sustainable biomass fuel from AMP Clean Energy.

 “The Biomass Energy Supply Agreement has made it possible for us to have a brand-new boiler system without any capital investment, which was particularly attractive to us with aging fossil fuel boilers. What made it most appealing though was the fact that all future maintenance and repairs are taken care of, so we’ll have no unknown costs or resources. Our site staff will save a lot of the time they previously spent looking after our old boilers.”

Barney Thornton, The Croft School’s Director of Project Development

Local, sustainable biomass heat.

The Croft School’s biomass boiler generates 700,000 Kwh of heat every year. That’s enough renewable energy to heat around 30 average houses, burning super-efficient wood pellets that are supplied locally by AMP Clean Energy.

This is a marvellous addition,” added The Croft School’s Director of Project Development Barney Thornton, “as it has given us the chance to massively reduce the amount of fossil fuels we use. As a forward-thinking school it’s important for us to set a positive example to pupils about the benefits of using sustainable energy and it’s great that we can do this without huge financial risk.

“And, as energy costs are a huge consideration for us, it’s reassuring to know that we’ll be using local fuel, rather than having to buy oil or gas from big energy companies that respond to unpredictable world energy prices.”

AMP Clean Energy operate an Energy Services Company (ESCO) which funds, designs, installs, and provides service and maintenance to the boiler throughout the 20 year period of the agreement. ESCO’s  work perfectly for any organisation, particularly schools that could benefit from a replacement biomass boiler (assuming that a biomass boiler is already installed), and the simplicity of paying for the heat they use without the need to look after their boiler’s maintenance issues.

“The Biomass Energy Supply Agreement scheme is a great solution for The Croft School, and indeed any school that is looking to replace their old heating systems, because they can do this without worrying about any future issues. Schools don’t pay a single penny upfront, but receive a modern new boiler, designed precisely for their requirements – the only thing they have to pay for is the cost of the heat they use,” said Peter Solly, Special Projects Director at AMP Clean Energy.