Winners of world's leading green energy awards

Former US Vice President Mr Al Gore inspired by all contenders at the 2007 Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy.

Former US Vice President Mr Al Gore presented awards to winners at a well-attended ceremony for the 2007 Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy.

He congratulated each winner on their inspiring efforts to create lasting solutions to climate change.

The select renewable energy and energy efficiency pioneers were from across the UK and countries as far afield as China, Laos, Bangladesh, Tanzania and India.

"Noone can attend an event like the Ashden Awards and fail to be inspired" said Mr Gore at the ceremony.

"We must find a path from a present that still falls short of what's needed to a sustainable future".

"What impresses me most about these projects is they truly are becoming the change that's needed in the world".

"These awards have told us how to illuminate the path to a sustainable future together".

"I hope that we can make it quickly".

The UK winners are:.

Energy Business award (new).

Ecotricity, a fast-growing electricity supply company rapidly making wind power a more popular and effective renewable energy option in the UK by working in close consultation with local communities, careful selection of wind farm sites and using the most efficient and reliable turbines.

Renewable Energy award.

Wood Energy, one of the UK's leading wood-fuel heating businesses, providing over a third of the country's total wood heat capacity and saving almost 12,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year through its large scale and domestic boiler installations.

Energy Efficiency award (joint winners):.

Cumbria Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, scaling up simple energy efficiency measures throughout Cumbria with an integrated and highly professional service offering advice, funding and insulation.

In just two years it has insulated the cavity walls of over 9,000 homes and provided loft insulation for over 5,000 homes, saving 12,500 tonnes of CO2 a year and reducing fuel bills by over GBP1.6 million a year.

And...

ENWORKS based in Greater Manchester, using a unique online toolkit to help businesses in the North-West reduce their use of resources, cut their waste production - and make huge cost savings.

Almost 1,000 businesses are participating in the programme, saving them about GBP12 million a year from a total capital investment of only GBP5.5 million and reducing CO2 emissions by 18,000 tonnes a year.

Sustainable schools award.

Woodheys Primary School in Sale, Cheshire has an excellent programme of practical energy saving across the school, a high-quality curriculum developed in partnership with WWF, a range of energy efficiency actions which have reduced gas consumption by 30% and a solar PV array on the school roof.

Second prizes go to:.

Energy Business award.

Solarcentury, a beacon for the UK's solar power market, showing how attractive, flexible and easy to install solar PV can be, even in crowded urban areas.

It has designed and installed 550 solar systems across the country, meeting the rigorous standards of planners as well as clients.

Renewable Energy award.

Nottinghamshire County Council, pioneering a scheme to heat its local schools with sustainable wood pellets instead of coal.

Already, CO2 emissions have been reduced by 2,400 tonnes a year, providing a model for local authorities around the country.

Sustainable schools award.

Seaton Primary School in Devon, living out its school motto of 'Caring now for the Future', and is one of a few UK schools to install a range of renewable technologies.

A 2.5 kW wind turbine and a 4.7 kW PV array on the roof of the school hall supply electricity directly to the school, and solar water heating panels heat the outdoor swimming pool.

Sarah Butler-Sloss, Executive Chair of the Awards said "Our winners demonstrate how many creative ways there are to save energy and generate energy while also reducing carbon emissions".

"If these technologies were expanded and replicated on a large scale they could play a significant role in helping to tackle climate change".

"All we need now is the political will to scale up and roll out these solutions".

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy reward outstanding and innovative projects in the UK and developing countries which tackle climate change and improve quality of life by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency at a local level.

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