Energy saving company's £750,000 deal

Bglobal plc, Commercial Road, Darwen, is installing its smart meters in schools, sports centres, libraries, town halls and housing complexes owned by Leeds City Council.

Smart meters record and monitor energy consumption such as electricity and gas.

The data is then fed by wireless technology to the company before it is passed on to energy firms, ensuring clients receive accurate bills.

The meters, to be installed in the next six months, will also be able to show if there is energy wastage such as if lights are left on overnight.

This will help the council to raise awareness of energy efficiency and identify where consumption can be reduced.

It will also let the local authority comply with the European Union's Energy Performance of Buildings directive, which states that public buildings must have an energy performance certificate by 2009.

Peter Kennedy, chief executive of bglobal, said: "The impact of bglobal's smart meters should mean lower bills and less energy usage and wastage.

"The meters provide vital management information which is used by our clients to introduce energy and cost saving measures to make their buildings more efficient.

"Environmentally, it ensures that our clients are meeting the requirements of the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings."

Bglobal was founded in 2003 by Mr Kennedy and was based at the Blackburn Technology Management Centre, Challenge Way, before it moved in April.

The firm, which employs 70 staff and has a turnover of £2.81million, is now the UK's leading provider of smart meter technology.

In April the company also floated on the AIM (Alternative Investment Market) in a £7.75million deal and announced plans to open an office in Melbourne, Australia.

Bglobal's other clients include Nottingham City Council, Vodafone, T-mobile, Mothercare and Comet which has reduced its energy consumption by 14 per cent since installing the meters.