A Cornish family business is bringing the latest renewable energy technology to the South West. Ignis Heat & Power, a new venture from Wendron Stoves, has secured the contract to be Devon and Cornwall’s only supplier for a leading Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system that offers clean energy and a return on investment in under five years.

The Ignise team believe the ArborElectroGen will be attractive to businesses and farmers who are off-grid and looking for a clean source of heat and power. Following recent changes to the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), CHP is now set to replace biomass as the renewable technology of choice for agriculture and business.

Nathan Ward took over the running of Wendron Stoves from his parents 25-years-ago and moved the business to a new outlet at Helston’s Water-ma-Trout industrial estate last year. After successfully operating one of the UK’s first biomass businesses, the firm has kept ahead of the market by adapting to changing legislation and new innovations. Nathan sits on the technical committee of HETAS, the official industry body for biomass and sold fuel heating appliances.

Now director of Ignis Heat & Power Nathan said: “We have always kept ahead of changing legislation and are excited by new technology. Combined Heat and Power is now the best option for any off-grid business that needs electricity and heat and we’re predicting interest from farmers and landowners as well as businesses such as hotels and holiday parks and visitor attractions. There is already great excitement among the business and farming communities about this product coming to the South West.”

The RHI is a financial support programme that rewards businesses and individuals for heating their buildings with renewable energy. Companies then receive quarterly payments for 20 years, based on the amount of clean, green renewable heat their system produces.

Sales director of Ignis Heat & Power, Gary Hawkins, added: “It has been a frustrating time for businesses looking for renewable energy: biomass grants have dried up, while it is becoming more and more difficult to get planning approval for solar PV and wind turbines. CHP is the one renewable technology left that will give you a good rate of return. For any business that is off-grid and needs both heat and electricity, there is nothing else on the market that will provide both – and earn you money at the same time.”