More than 50 Shortlisted for Scottish Green Energy Awards 2014

The shortlist for the Scottish Green Energy Awards 2014 has been unveiled, with 52 individuals, companies and projects vying to scoop prizes in 14 prestigious categories.

The awards – now in their 12th year – were refreshed significantly in 2014 to reflect the fast-paced and innovative nature of the renewable energy sector. The shortlist was announced at a reception at Glasgow Science Centre on October 2.

Two new categories added this year – ‘Renewing Scotland’ and ‘Best Photography’ – have been particularly popular, with almost 50 entries received for the photography award. The category, sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables, attracted stunning images of renewables technology and developments captured across Scotland.

Other awards in this year’s programme reward community initiatives and suppliers and recognise business growth, skills, innovation and excellence in sustainable development.

Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, which runs the awards, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the phenomenal number of high quality entries we’ve received for this year’s Green Energy Awards. This has meant that our judges have had an extremely difficult task compiling a shortlist for each award.

“We’ve had an especially impressive response to some of our new award categories, like the Renewing Scotland award and the Best Photography Award, with many of the images submitted for the latter considered by our judges to be truly outstanding.”

The winner of the Renewing Scotland award, sponsored by SmartestEnergy, will have demonstrated “outstanding deployment of renewable energy by or in a non-energy business, charity or public body to cut costs or carbon – or both”. The shortlist includes The National Trust Scotland for the innovative use of solar power in its historic properties and Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve in the Highlands, which has proved that hydro schemes can be sited sensitively in nature reserves and areas of Special Scientific Interest.

The coveted Green Energy Awards, sponsored by EDF Energy Renewables, will be presented at a sell-out dinner at the EICC in Edinburgh on November 27, where over 1,100 guests will celebrate this annual showcase of the best in renewable energy talent, projects and innovation.

Mr Stuart added: “The Scottish Green Awards ceremony is the biggest night of the year for the renewable energy industry. This year’s winners are genuine pioneers and innovators who are making a real difference to our environment, economy and society – and there is no better way to recognise them than in front of more than 1,100 of their peers.”