Highlands and Islands shine at Scottish Green Energy Awards

7th December 2012

Highlands and Islands companies shone at a glittering ceremony last night, taking home prestigious Scottish Green Energy Awards.

Nigg Skills Academy won the Contribution to Skills and Training award, Edinbane windfarm won Best Project and Rob Gibson was named Best Politician. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) was announced as the winner for Best Public Sector Initiative.

Calum Davidson, Director of Energy and Low Carbon at HIE, who addressed the guests during the opening reception, said: "It's been another fantastic year for our region, with the Highlands and Islands winning four of the 11 categories at the Scottish Green Energy Awards. We recognise that it is not just the availability of resources that is making us the world leader in renewable energy, but also the ambitious and innovative people and companies who lead the way.

�The night was topped off for the region when HIE was awarded best public sector initiative, in recognition of our leadership for the wave and tidal sector and commitment to developing the infrastructure required to support the burgeoning offshore renewables sector.

�We wish to congratulate all of the winners on what is a great achievement."

Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: �The winners reflect the huge strength we have in Scotland�s homegrown renewable energy sector, in our supply chain and in the individuals that have all worked incredibly hard to make it another successful year for the industry.

�The fact the Scottish Green Energy Awards has grown by some 50 per cent in just three years is also testament of the growth of the industry to become what is one of the largest corporate award ceremonies in the country.

Mr Stuart added: �This year has been incredibly important for the sector with the setting of a new interim target of generating the equivalent of 50 per cent of our electricity needs from renewables by 2015."

The event, now in its 11th year, was held at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh on Thursday (6th December), with a record 1,000 guests.

The Scottish Green Energy Awards were established by Scottish Renewables in December 2002 to bring together industry leaders to honour, acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of individuals and organisations in the renewable energy industry in Scotland

There are now 11 award categories which have been created to represent areas that are essential for the development and growth of the renewable energy industry, and to highlight the positive economic and environmental work and contribution that Scotland is making both nationally and internationally.

For the full list of winners, visit: http://www.scottishrenewables.com/news/scottish-green-energy-awards-2012-winners/

[Photo Credit: Scottish Renewables]