HAVING conquered Burger King with its energy-saving technology, the North Duffield-based Powercut group is bracing itself for a rush of British companies demanding its services.

Many UK firms are expected to see Powercut's product as a way out of being clobbered by the Government's new Climate Change Levy due to be introduced next April. Even the Palace of Westminster, seeking to put its own Houses in order, is among the record number of inquiries which have been pouring into Powercut's head office at Blackwood Hall, near Selby.

All have heard about Powercut's "whopper" of a deal with Burger King which is having its PowerSense energy-saving systems installed in each of its 13,000 fast-food outlets worldwide. Powercut admits only to a "multi-million pound contract".

But one reckoning, based on £50,000 to £70,000 per installation, is that globally the deal could be worth £780 million, although Powercut, responsible only for UK installations, will take its share of an estimated £9 million plus whatever has been negotiated under a licensing agreement.

The technology consists of a revolutionary, small heat exchanger which converts waste heat from the 360C flame grills into energy, thus providing Burger King outlets with hot water and air conditioning. It should produce a 25 per cent saving on electrical energy costs in the UK and as much as 50 per cent savings in hotter countries.

Powercut is now in the process of having its systems accredited by the Government so it will attract 100 per cent enhanced capital allowance in the first year for products which meet the criteria.

Steve Morgan, founder of Powercut, has seen payroll numbers rise from 30 to 35 in recent weeks, and is determined to employ five more in the short term and treble the workforce within a year.

He said: "Reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency is not just environmentally sound practice but also produces significant cost savings.

"Those businesses which don't take measures to decrease their energy consumption will find the new energy tax will have a negative impact on their profitability and competitiveness."