A new category has been introduced to the 2016 Wales Green Energy Awards. For the first time, there is now a Best Agricultural Renewable Energy Project, which celebrates the farmer, agricultural organisation or developer that has supported the most innovative or ground-breaking renewable energy scheme.
Now in its fourth year, the awards ceremony has become a highlight in the calendar for many within the green energy sector in Wales. Once again it will be held in St David’s Hotel & Spa in Cardiff on Friday 4 November. Tickets will go on sale in August. The closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday 8 July 2016.
Last year’s winners included RWE Innogy UK Gwynt y Môr’s offshore wind farm, Cardiff Council’s Energy & Sustainability Team, the Energise Wales Programme, Ynni Anafon Energy Cyf, Mark Williams from Powys Windfarm Supporters, the National Trust Wales, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM.
Dr David Clubb, director of RenewableUK Cymru, said: “The last 12 months have been an extremely challenging time for the green energy industry in the UK but it hasn’t been all doom and gloom in Wales. There have been a number of projects consented and we have seen there is now a strong political will in Wales to develop community energy so it does bode well for the future.
“There’s been a big rise in the number of agricultural and farm-based renewable energy projects so we’ve decided to introduce a new category to reflect that. I’m really excited to see the entries for this category in particular. Each year always brings a host of entries that makes things extremely different for the judges and I’ve no doubt this year will be the same.”
The nine categories in the Wales Green Energy Awards are:
- Engaging the Community sponsored by The Waterloo Foundation
- Outstanding Advocate – Organisation sponsored by Raymond Brown Renewables
- Outstanding Renewable Energy Project
- Best use of Renewable Energy in the Public Sector
- Supply Chain Development
- Outstanding Advocate – Individual
- Contribution to Skills & Training
- Political Award
- Best Agricultural Renewable Energy Project