A major company in the renewable heat energy sector is unveiling new expansion plans at this week's Westmorland County Show.

Scot Heat & Power - based in Broxburn, West Lothian, with an operation in Low House Business Centre, Windermere - is undertaking a multi-million pound pipeline of work across the UK.

It is also sponsoring the Countryside Area at the show - known as the Scot Heat & Power Arena - which shows off rural sports and activities.

The company – which provides wood chip/wood pellet-fuelled boilers to farms and animal feed producers, garden centres, hotels and educational establishments – has seen increased enquiries for services and maintenance in Cumbria.

In response to this, the Windermere operation will offer large commercial as well as smaller biomass boilers. There also plans in place for further diversification through the introduction of an arboricultural specialism in rural estate and forestry management.

Scot Heat & Power has just appointed its own professional Chartered Forester and can offer forest planning, thinning and felling operations, ground preparation and restocking services.

It is also now sourcing timber from Grizedale Forest in Ambleside.

Scot Heat & Power’s managing director, Malcolm Snowie, said: "We put sustainability at the heart of our forestry, round wood sourcing policies, and practices, so that we can responsibly realise the full potential of the country's woodlands as economic, environmental and social resources."

The renewable heat specialist has specially developed its biomass processing facilities to capture new market growth in the supply of renewable energy. Millions of tonnes of waste wood and oversize material are generated each year which, when reprocessed, can deliver major environmental benefits. The company processes this waste wood on its own sites, diverting it from landfill.

Mr Snowie added: “This will be our third year exhibiting at the Westmorland County show and we’re very proud to be able to speak about our new products and developments which we believe will deliver wide benefits to our clients.

“We’re set to yield several interesting multi-million pound opportunities in the very near future, so it’s a really exciting time for us. At Westmorland, we want to talk about the considerable environmentally sustainable advances that we are now able to bring to the market as we look to further grow our interests. We are also expanding into electrical battery storage systems which will offer all turbine users, small and large, additional benefits.

“Our products use biomass and steam energy to provide effective solutions across a wide range of sectors. They’re innovative and technically sophisticated but simple and reliable to run.

“We are targeting further growth in the UK and also diversifying into arboriculture, while maintaining a key focus on our core specialisms which remain the lifeblood of the business.”

He also praised the show, which takes place in Crooklands on Thursday.

“We see the Westmorland County Show as a significant strategic step in that direction as we eye further expansion,” he said.

The firm has strategic partnerships with Annan-based manufacturer Cochran UK and Swedish biotechnology company Jernforsen.