A PROJECT to heat and light a community building entirely from green energy has been completed with the installation of two wind turbines.

Villagers using St Eval Parish Hall near Padstow, Cornwall, can now do so in the knowledge that only renewable energy is being used to heat and light the building.

Solar panels have also been installed on the roof of the parish hall while a green heating system – called an air source heat pump – has also been fitted outdoors to capture and upgrade low-level heat from the outside air for indoor use.

And the benefits of renewable energy will also be financial, after organisers struck a deal to sell any excess electricity back to the National Grid.

The money raised in this way will be injected into community renewable energy projects.

A live display board inside the hall will show how much green energy the equipment is generating and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions being cut.

Project manager Howard Balmer, who leads a low-carbon lifestyle, said: "People will see the technology on our community buildings can be applied to domestic properties.

"We hope people will want to know more about using this equipment in their own homes.

"Our village is very exposed to wild Atlantic storms and the sunshine, and our technology can make the most of whatever the weather brings."

The cost of the project was met by a £30,000 grant from the EDF Energy Green Fund, £7,700 from the Government's Low Carbon Buildings Programme and £1,800 from Cornwall Council.

Jo Steven, who leads EDF Energy's Green Fund, said: "We are delighted to help this community to showcase such a range of renewable energy technologies in the parish hall.

"Visitors will be able to learn about renewable energy from this project and perhaps be inspired to make their own contributions to a more sustainable world."

Mr Balmer said: "It feels like a huge change is happening. The whole of society has woken up to climate change.

"Bringing real solutions into your neighbourhood, through projects like this, is what we have all got to do."

The parish hall is used for social events, theatre, dance, table tennis, art, meetings and other events.

The hall was refurbished in 2008 to make it more energy efficient by fitting loft and cavity wall insulation, efficient lighting, improved windows and draught excluders.