UK’s leading green energy awards call for entries from sustainable energy pioneers

29.09.09

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are seeking entries from inspirational sustainable energy schemes in the UK that use renewable energy, or reduce energy demand at a local level.

Entry is free and is open to businesses, local authorities, charities and schools that have made significant CO2 savings through the use of renewable energy or energy efficiency measures, and that can demonstrate real social and economic benefits.

There are six Awards to be won with a combined value of £70,000. The Awards will be presented at a VIP ceremony in London in July 2010

All Award-winning schemes must have been consistently successful for at least one year in saving carbon and delivering social benefits and must have plans for future growth. Successful schemes will be highly replicable to ensure maximum impact in the battle against climate change. Cash prizes will be used to assist further expansion.

Benefits of winning an Ashden Award include:

- Individual prize money of up to £20,000
- High profile publicity in the UK and across the globe
- Tailored support to take the scheme further.
- A broadcast quality documentary film on the award-winning work
- Opportunities to present your sustainable energy solutions to experts and policy makers
- A forum for exchanging ideas and solutions with those working in the field of sustainable energy in the UK and across the globe 

“The awards ceremony couldn’t have been higher profile – we were really pleased with the publicity it generated. The Ashden Award has helped to raise our profile locally, nationally and internationally”.
Dionne Jones, Community Energy Plus, UK, Award winner

In 2010 we will be offering a total of five awards of £10,000 and one Energy Champion Award of £20,000. The award categories are:

(a) Business - for businesses that have made local renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services more wide-spread. Previous winners include manufacturers, suppliers and installers and businesses working in the built environment.

(b) Local authority - for local authorities that have carried out effective programmes to improve energy efficiency, reduce demand or increase the supply of local renewable energy (electricity and heat) and promoted the wider use of sustainable energy through local planning and policies.

(c) Charity - for non-profit groups such as Energy Agencies and charities that have carried out effective programmes to improve energy efficiency, reduce demand or increase the supply of renewable electricity and/or heat, at a local level.

(d) Schools - for any UK school (primary or secondary) that has developed both an ethos and practice of sustainability, in which the responsible use of energy is a crucial element. It is NOT essential for a school to have renewable energy generation on-site to apply.

Deadline for expressions of interest from UK businesses, charities, local authorities: 27 October 2009

Deadline for UK schools applications: 26 November 2009

Application forms are online now at http://www.ashdenawards.org/uk_awards 

For further information and application forms visit www.ashdenawards.org, or contact Jane Howarth tel. + 44 (0)20 7410 7023. Email: info@ashdenawards.org

ENDS

For media enquiries or for stories about previous winners, contact Maya Vaughan: email: maya.vaughan@ashdenawards.org, tel. + 44 (0) 207 263 2551 or mobile: + 44 (0) 7726 926 227

Note: The Ashden Awards are a UK-based charity (Reg. No. 1104153) working to increase the use of local sustainable energy worldwide. They find, reward and publicise the work of leading sustainable energy programmes working across the developing world and in the UK. Further information, including details on past winners, funders and supporters is at www.ashdenawards.org.