The Isle of Wights green credentials will be displayed in Parliament today. IBM and Toshiba are among those helping to power the EcoIsland initiative forward along with Southern Water, SSE, Cable & Wireless, Vestas and Co-operative Energy.
It is hoped members of the government will find out exactly what the Island is doing to further the green ideal. 200 million pounds of private funding has already been raised to deliver initial projects on the island.
The EcoIsland project aims to make the Isle of Wight a net exporter of energy within the next eight years, integrating the Island's future wind, tidal, geothermal and solar power into a Smart Grid.
It is believed the initiative could lead to the 142,000 Islanders' fuel bills being cut by up to 50% through increased use of renewables and creative tariffs. A spokesperson was unable to confirm whether that meant using time of use tariffs. Another goal is to reduce waste to landfill to zero.
Southern Vectis provided the transport to escort prominent Island people to the lunchtime reception.