The Needles Old Battery is embracing cutting-edge new eco-technology. The National Trust and Npower have installed an air source heat pump to replace an old oil fired boiler and it means your next cup of tea at the tourist attraction could be made using the air in Alum Bay.
The pump takes air in and extracts the heat from it, providing all the hot water for the tea room kitchen as well as the heating in the Port War Signal Station. New energy efficient radiators and insulation have also been installed. Paul Rayner, Building Surveyor with the National Trust says: "This is the first stage in a longer plan to reduce fossil fuel dependence and energy consumption at the Needles and throughout all of our properties. We are now planning to install a solar PV array at the Needles Battery (subject to appropriate consents) which will offset electrical usage further. On the brightest, sunniest days when we get a lot of visitors using the superb catering facilities at the Battery the solar panels will quietly sit and give us free energy.”