Energy Awards 2012 date announced

The Department of Economic Development announces that the top energy saving projects, undertaken by local businesses and public sector organisations over the past year will be recognised at the annual Energy Awards taking place this year on Friday 10th August during the Energy Expo at the Royal Manx Agricultural show.

The Energy Awards acknowledge the achievements of local businesses and public sector organisations in reducing their energy consumption and improving the efficiency of their organisations. Currently there are over 60 trained Energy Champions within local business and 60 within Government Departments.

In 2011 the Energy Awards were presented in three categories for business and Government by Tynwald President, Mrs Clare Christian MLC, who was then a Department of Economic Development Member with responsibility for Energy policy.

Awards were presented as follows:

• Best Innovation in Business – Luminaires
• Best Innovation in Government – Works Division, Department of Education and Children
• Best Practice in Business – Strand Shopping Centre
• Best Practice in Government – Manx National Heritage
• Biggest Saving in Business – Town House Hotel
• Biggest Saving in Government – Information Systems Division, Department of Economic Development

Highly Commended Awards were presented to the Isle of Man Post Office for their project to replicate energy saving features in several Post Office buildings during their refurbishment and to Mike Glanfield of Better Energy for his work as an Energy Consultant working with businesses to identify options to reduce their energy costs.

Mr Laurence Skelly MHK, Department of Economic Development with responsibility for Energy Policy commented:

"The Energy Awards highlight the many excellent examples of good practice that are happening within local business and Government. The awards ceremony ensures the good work Energy Champions have achieved is recognised and I hope will encourage other organisations to consider potential energy saving opportunities within their organisations. In addition, the Department recently approved the first 0% Green Business loan and this is another example of how the Department of Economic Development is supporting local businesses to become more energy efficient."

Dr Ken Milne, Senior Policy Manager for Energy Policy added:

"There is a huge amount of work ongoing in businesses, and within government, and the Energy Awards is a way to give public recognition to the great work that has been achieved. We would like to hear from local businesses who have, over the course of the past year made significant energy savings as a result of measures they have taken to make them more energy efficient and entry forms can be downloaded from our website."

If you would like to submit an entry for the Energy Awards please contact the Department on 01624 682367 or download an entry form from the Energy Awards website.

If your organisation would like to nominate an individual to receive energy efficiency training who will be responsible for pursuing and implementing energy saving projects within the organisation please contact the Department on 01624 682367 or visit Energy Champions website to download an application form.