Brighton and Hove scoops renewable energy award » Local Government » 24dash.com

Brighton and Hove City Council beat off stiff competition from Local Authorities across the South East when it was named winner of a renewable energy award at the South East Renewable Energy awards in Brighton.

The South East Renewable Energy Awards - now in its second year - is part funded by the Government Office of the South East (GOSE) and aims to recognise commitment to using renewable energy by local authorities, businesses, schools and individual projects.

Lucy Westcott, Head of Strategy at GOSE and Chair of the South East Sustainable Energy Partnership said: "We are delighted to fund and administer these awards which recognise and celebrate those organisations in the South East demonstrating particular commitment to renewable energy.

"All the participants have been responsible for delivering some really terrific projects over the last 12 months, clearly demonstrating the benefits and opportunities of renewable energy technologies to meet local energy needs and contribute to combating climate change. We thank all those winning and commended organisations for their inspiring example."

Brighton and Hove City Council won the award for demonstrating the widest breadth of initiatives and commitment to renewable energy, particularly in the last 12 months. The councils clear civic leadership on climate change particularly impressed the panel.

Practical initiatives included enabling a range of sustainable energy projects in the community; establishing a new grants scheme and actively promoting the benefits and opportunities of renewables to the local community through adult learning courses.

Graham Tubb, Chief Sustainability Advisor at the South East England Development Agency, who was on the judging panel said: "We had a particularly difficult task this year, having to choose from a range of innovative and exciting schemes.

SEEDA is delighted to be associated with these awards - they are encouraging the sort of ground-breaking low carbon technology which we need to deliver across the region, and which we're supporting and encouraging in the new South East Regional Economic Strategy, published last week.