David Rolton, chairman of the Rolton Group based at Higham Ferrers, said that although some businesses are ready now, others need to be.

He said: "Renewable energy equals new technology and the opportunities for existing or incoming businesses and employers in north

Northamptonshire could be worth £30 billion over the next 10 years."

The Rolton Group is an engineering practice which works with clients and developers to see how a project can be done better, working to cut down costs and to find ways to make a project more environmentally friendly.

Renewable sources of energy could include wind turbines and solar panels but those involved with house construction should be looking at, and developing, other ways of reducing energy use.

Mr Rolton said: "Industry, particularly all those involved in the development of housing, needs to react now if it is to meet Government targets that all newly-built houses will operate as carbon neutral by 2016.

"The way housing is built and the way we receive and use energy will be significantly different than it is today.

"We should be looking for modern methods of construction, such as pre-fabricated building components and these should be made as close to the area as possible.

"We should be able to make use of the skills that already exist in the caravan and mobile home industry, and the terrific connections we have with the rest of the UK provides the opportunity to export to other parts of the UK."

He went on to say: "We have 27 years in construction related industries.

"The whole area from Milton Keynes up to Peterborough will see a substantial growth in housing and jobs, and what we do now will have a dramatic change on the environment."

The Rolton Group was the mechanical and electrical consultant to Ikea in Peterborough when they built their new distribution centre.

Mr Rolton said: "To address the carbon emissions challenge, we designed, developed and managed the implementation of an innovative geothermal heating system, which draws heat directly from below the earth.

"This award-winning system provides 230kilowatts of power to warm the two-storey offices in the building in the winter and cool them in summer. Over the life of the building it will save more than 40 tons of carbon dioxide emissions."

Constantly upgrading their equipment to keep up with the changes in technology in the construction world, the Rolton Group is already focused on the future, and their advice to others working in the same sector is not to close their eyes and look away but to grasp the opportunities and be an integral part of the growth of the county.