Highland clean power scheme scoops Scottish Green Energy Award

A pioneering clean power scheme that has cut fuel poverty in 250 Highland homes has been handed a top award by Scotland’s renewable energy industry.

Highland Council’s Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme, a £7 million project that has installed 179 solar PV systems and 101 air source heat pumps, alongside battery storage, in remote areas was announced as winner of the Outstanding Project Award.

The Scottish Green Energy Awards, organised by industry body Scottish Renewables, returned last night (Dec 5) to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

The event is now the UK’s largest celebration of green energy: more than 1,660 people saw winners in 14 categories receive trophies recognising their work in Scotland’s £10 billion renewable energy industry, which supports more than 42,000 jobs.

Among the winners were:

• Abbey St Bathans Village Hall, in the Scottish Borders - an off-grid-capable microgrid system including rooftop solar panels, batteries, EV chargers and a back-up generator which provides a free, warm space for the local community, won the Best Community Project Award.
• Aurora Energy Services, which has established a £1.2 million Renewable Energy Training Centre in Inverness, reskilling oil and gas workers, supporting new apprentices and preparing 2,000 workers annually to contribute to Scotland’s net-zero goals, took home the Contribution to Skills Award.
• Ayrshire-based 360 Safety & Training, which promotes the wind industry as a positive career choice and provides training for wind turbine technicians across the UK while promoting renewable careers to diverse groups, from students to job seekers, was this year’s winner of the Champion of Renewables Award.

The 14 winners were selected by a panel of judges from a shortlist of 50 finalists.

Michael Shanks MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, gave a keynote address highlighting the important role renewable energy will play in Scotland’s journey to net-zero.

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:

"The Scottish Green Energy Awards provide the perfect opportunity to celebrate another remarkable year for Scotland’s renewable energy sector.

"For more than 20 years the awards have honoured the exceptional individuals propelling our industry forward, reinforcing Scotland’s position as a global leader in clean energy. This year the outstanding calibre of all nominees further highlights the immense talent and dedication within our sector.

"I continue to be deeply inspired by the innovation, creativity, and unwavering commitment of those driving our industry. Selecting just 14 winners from such a talented pool of nominees was not easy. Each category was fiercely competitive, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone shortlisted, as well as to those who took home awards this year."

Matthieu Hue, Chief Executive of EDF Renewables UK, headline sponsor of The Scottish Green Energy Awards, said:

"Many congratulations to all those shortlisted and to the winners of tonight's awards. 

“We are delighted to witness such an impressive showcase of talent and professionalism across the renewable energy sector in Scotland. 

“This year's awards serve as a testament to Scotland's enduring status as a global leader in clean power. The high standard of entries demonstrates the country’s continuing commitment to renewable energy and working collaboratively to combat climate change.”

The full list of winners are as follows:

• Best Community Project Award, sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables: Abbey St Bathans Village Hall
• Best Engagement Award, sponsored by SmartestEnergy: Statkraft - Loch na Cathrach
• Best Innovation Award: New Technology Products, sponsored by Red Rock Renewables: Think Hire, Solartainer Versatile
• Best Innovation Award: Software and Services, sponsored by SLR: Energy Mutual
• Carbon Reduction Award, sponsored by Statkraft: Montrose Port Authority
• Champion of Renewables Award, sponsored by Fred. Olsen Renewables: 360 Safety & Training
• Contribution to Skills Award, sponsored by SSE Renewables: Aurora Energy Services
• Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by BlueFloat Energy | Nadara Partnership: Jonathan Cole
• Outstanding Project Award, sponsored by SSEN Transmission: Highland Council - Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme
• Outstanding Service Award, sponsored by Corio Generation: Royal HaskoningDHV
• Industry Challenger Award, sponsored by Natural Power: Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council - Strategic Investment Model (SIM)
• Sustainable Development Award, sponsored by Hitachi Energy: ScottishPower Renewables - Collaboration for Environment Mitigation & Nature Inclusive Design (CEMNID)
• Young and Inspiring Award, sponsored by ESB: Chris Del Valle, ORE Catapult
• Judges Award, sponsored by Ocean Winds: Isla Robb, Opergy Scotland

Ends

Notes:

• A selection of images from the event is available via this link.
• Sponsors of The Scottish Green Energy Awards 2024 include: EDF Renewables UK, BlueFloat Energy | Nadara Partnership, Corio Generation, ESB, Fred. Olsen Renewables, Hitachi Energy, Natural Power, Ocean Winds, Red Rock Renewables, ScottishPower Renewables, SLR, SmartestEnergy, SSE Renewables, SSEN Transmission, Statkraft, Nexans, Muirhall Energy, WWS Renewables, Føn Energy Services, Haventus, Leidos, MacArthur Green, Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm, MVGLA, North Star, Pegasus Group, Ramboll, RES, Royal HaskoningDHV, RPS, The Scottish National Investment Bank, Sweco and EICC. Our Official Media Partner is reNews. 
• The awards’ judging panel was made up of representatives of sponsor companies.
• Free to use of image of Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, here.