COUNTY Hall electricity is set to be generated from wind power.

The move towards environmentaly friendly energy will make Lancashire County Council only the eleventh authority in the country and the first in the North West to use the system.

It forms part of a bid to meet Government targets on carbon dioxide emissions which call for more energy to come from sources other than coal and gas power stations.

The electricity is generated using wind power and "biomass" -- agricultural and forestry waste.

The wind power is generated at two wind farms, one at Ovenden Moor between Halifax and Haworth and the other at Royd Moor near Huddersfield. The energy from biomass comes from a company based at Scunthorpe.

The commitment is fulfilled by Yorkshire Electricity buying a unit of green power for every unit of electricity it sells to the council.

Leader of the council, County Coun John West, said the move demonstrates their commitment to protecting the environment.

He said: "It is also an important step towards meeting our targets on emissions. It is vital that we work in partnership with companies like Yorkshire Electricity to help protect the environment for future generations."

The energy is being bought from Yorkshire Electricity, which supplies numerous councils across the country and will power the council's Preston bases at County Hall, built in 1878, East Cliff County Offices and Winkley House, which represent about 15 per cent of the county council's overall energy usage.

Currently 10 other councils buy their "green" power from Yorkshire Electricity, as well as Leeds and Holbeck Building Society and Leeds Metropolitan University.

David Lambourne of Yorkshire Electricity added: "The popularity of our green electricity package among local authorities is a clear indication that we are offering a credible energy package that allows that allows major organisations to demonstrate their environmental credentials."