Businesses have been encouraged to reduce their energy bills by installing wind turbines.
Speaking at a ceremony to switch on a new wind turbine at an Environment Agency depot in Darlington, MP Alan Milburn said the technology could benefit a range of properties around the UK.
"I would encourage businesses and householders to follow its lead and look at how they can make their properties greener. We must all do what we can to save energy and reduce waste, which can also save money on bills," he said.
The 15-metre turbine, which has blades nine metres in diameter, is expected to generate 20 per cent of the facility's electricity.
It will also reduce its carbon footprint, saving the equivalent of a small home's annual carbon emissions.
The Darlington depot is also powered by photo-voltaic panels to generate electricity and solar panels to heat water.
We can offer businesses advice on using renewable energy technologies to reduce their energy bills and improve their environmental performance.
