Vital Energi's innovative biomass community heating installation at Woodbrook Eco-Village in Lisburn has been praised following a visit by the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Social Development.

Committee Chairperson, Mr David Simpson said, "The Committee is delighted to have had the opportunity to visit the eco village which is setting new standards in sustainable development.

"We were particularly impressed by the biomass district heating system which is fuelled by local willow trees. This will cut heating costs for these homeowners and will reduce this aspect of their carbon footprint by 75%.

"The Department for Social Development is tasked with improving energy efficiency in social housing. The Committee views exemplar schemes like the eco village as vital for informing the understanding of policy makers and pointing the way for the future."

Vital Energi have designed, supplied, installed and will be operating and maintaining this carbon neutral scheme currently delivering heating and hot water to 343 homes on the development.

To read more about the work the Vital Energi has carried out on this project, click here to read the full case study.