I haven’t been able to get the news about The National Trust’s plans to up its renewable energy portion out of my thoughts.

The National Trust is the largest private holder and preserver of the United Kingdom’s treasured stately homes, parks, castles and estates. If, like me, you have been ushered/dragged around the delights of Calke Abbey in Derbyshire, Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire and Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland as an unwilling child, its work is an essential part of understanding and appreciating English history today.

On Wednesday 11th, the heritage-minded landholder announced a brand new scheme called Energy- Grow Your Own, which faces the seemingly insurmountable task of slashing its fossil fuel consumption by 50 per cent during this pivotal decade leading up to 2020.

The plan applies to 300 historic buildings, 360 holiday cottages and numerous offices and visitor centres. On hearing this, visions of England’s castles with solar water heating systems gleaming like newly-polished armour from the battlements flooded my mind.

This plan is certainly very exciting, but it is equally interesting to read about the 140 renewable energy systems which the Trust already has in place. There is already 2.3 Mega Watts of heating power and one mega watt of electricity nestled amongst our treasured English landmarks. These were put in place by the National Trust Green Energy map, in which 27 initiatives have been implemented and partnered on with electricity giants Npower.

“World leaders may not have provided a political solution to the climate change problem at Copenhagen, but that should not delay us from delivering practical solutions on the ground,” Fiona Reynolds, Director General of the National Trust said.

“The trust has a responsibility to look after the special places in our care for ever, requiring us to make long-term decisions that will protect them for future generations to enjoy.”

It transpires that the National Trust Green Energy efforts began back in 2007.

“Npower matches every unit of normal electricity that you use and feeds the same amount, generated from renewable sources, into the electricity network,” its website explains.

In April 2008 the renewable systems installations began when ground and air source heat pumps were installed at Morden Hall in South London. The notion to install renewable technology in this - a building dating back well into the 1700’s – with a view to being carbon footprint conscious and also preserving this site for the future, is a happy one.

Today solar panel installations have just been completed. There are plans to install over 50 wood-fuelled boilers and talks of going hydro where existing infrastructure might compliment the renewable source.

The National Trust has made, and will continue to make great progress in switching to renewable. Hopefully it won’t be long before many more in the UK are inspired to follow suit.