NHS Highland has commissioned 12 heat projects across the 10 sites with a further six biomass projects at different stages of planning.

It is intended to have the HWEnergy installations commissioned and working by the end of December 2013.

When combined with other biomass installations already in place NHS Highland will see costs reduce by a minimum estimate of £1.5millon a year – or a 20 per cent reduction in total energy costs.

NHS Highland energy and sustainability manager Gordon MacDonald said: “Our first objective is to reach a target of 60 per cent of NHS Highland’s total heat load being delivered from biomass. When this milestone is achieved it will reduce the carbon emissions of the organisation by over 9,000 tonnes of CO2 (tCO2e), and will result in a financial saving of at least £1.5million per year in the early year and significantly more through time.”

HWEnergy managing director Bruno Berardelli said: “Switching to biomass heating makes absolute sense for NHS Highland. The estate has seen costs rise from £5.2million to £8.4million in the last three years so a large scale changeover to renewables is a fantastic way to make a positive impact.

“It’s extremely encouraging to see an organisation of this size making such a commitment to the ongoing provision of heat from renewable sources. NHS Highland is really leading the way when it comes to making environmentally sound choices that also offer real economic business benefits.