Cleeve House Leads the Way in Green Energy Transformation

Cleeve House, our historic Wiltshire venue, is embracing sustainability with solar panels and heat pumps, blending heritage preservation with innovative solutions to tackle climate change.

The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) is stepping up its environmental efforts with a major green energy project at Cleeve House, its historic property in Wiltshire. In response to the escalating climate crisis and the UK’s targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Cleeve House is blending heritage preservation with cutting-edge sustainability to showcase practical ways of reducing emissions locally.

Built in 1857, Cleeve House is a unique venue surrounded by six acres of scenic woodland and fields. Known for weddings, family retreats, and community gatherings, the estate is now set to become a beacon of sustainable energy.

With planning permission granted by Wiltshire Council, the site now features 50 state-of-the-art solar photovoltaic thermal (PVT) panels and four air-source heat pumps. This hybrid system powers the venue’s spacious rooms and function halls while reducing reliance on traditional heating and significantly lowering its carbon footprint.

This initiative aligns with the UK Climate Change Committee’s call for rapid investment in renewable energy and heat pump technology to reduce emissions by 81% by 2035. Working with a local engineer specialising in PVT technology, FFWPU has created an efficient heating network designed to keep Cleeve House off-grid for most of the year. The system will also cut down on LPG use during colder months, with a zoning system enabling selective heating for better energy efficiency.

Dr. Michael Balcomb, Director of FFWPU (UK), shared:
“Cleeve House demonstrates how heritage properties can embrace sustainability. By reducing emissions and promoting renewable energy, we’re contributing to both local and global climate goals. We hope Cleeve House inspires others to adopt similar forward-thinking solutions while preserving history.”

This project coincides with global climate discussions at the COP29 summit in Edinburgh, reinforcing the vital role of local initiatives alongside national policies in addressing climate change.