KENT County Council has opted for two renewable energy companies to supply heat and light in eight of its offices throughout Kent. They will provide the equivalent of the energy used by about 800 homes and will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3,200 tons a year.

Bizz Energy and London Electricity won the two-year contract. Bizz Energy's renewable energy is largely derived from landfill gas, while London Electricity's supply is derived from 80-85 per cent small-scale hydropower and 15-20 per cent wind regeneration.

KCC is trying to minimise the impact on the environment from its activities.

The new contract arranged by the council's energy supplying group, Laser, also represents a saving of £13,000 over the existing one.

KCC staff are being encouraged this month to conserve energy in their workplace and think about how they use energy at home and at work. The county's street lights were switched to renewable energy in October and staff can use an eco-friendly pool car to get to meetings.

Nick Chard, KCC's cabinet member for finance, said: "KCC is determined wherever possible to run its business in an energy efficient manner. The new electricity contract will help us to make savings and reduce global warming."