Loch Ness clean power projects shortlisted for the Scottish Green Energy Awards
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Carbon-cutting projects at opposite ends of Loch Ness are among those vying for success in the Scottish Green Energy Awards.
The shortlist for 11 categories in the annual awards includes ILI Group’s Red John Pumped Storage Hydro project near Dores, which is nominated for the sustainable development award.
The £550 million project will save 23 million tonnes of CO2e by offsetting gas power, and enable the saving of a further 22 million tonnes of CO2e through the additional renewables that can be installed on the grid network and the replacement of commercial forestry with a more natural woodland.
At the other end of the loch, Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company is also nominated in the carbon reduction category for its 12 home Caledonian Court affordable housing development.
The shortlisted finalists include tidal, hydro, wind and other projects with other Highland representatives including Dunnet-based industrial supplier Blargoans Ltd, which is shortlisted for the best service award, and the Allt an Lagain Hydro Scheme in north west Sutherland, built by Hugh Maclellan and his son Michael. The Maclellans, whose family have farmed the same croft for some 200 years, have also planted 50,000 trees to help the environment.
Island nominations include the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, and Orbital Marine's O2 tidal turbine, which is carrying out tests at EMEC.
The 43 individuals, companies and projects will hear if they have been successful at the black-tie awards ceremony which returns in-person to Edinburgh on December 2.
Claire Mack, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, which runs the awards, said: “Once again I am truly astounded by the quality of nominations we have received for this year’s award ceremony.
“Our judges, as ever, struggled to pick even the shortlist, let alone the winners. The contenders represent the innovation, dedication and passions of an industry which is deploying new generation and maintaining the infrastructure which now provides the equivalent of 97.4 per cent of the electricity we use in Scotland whilst bringing socio-economic benefits across the country.
“These awards showcase just some of the ground-breaking work we are doing here in Scotland to decarbonise our energy system and fight climate change – and it’s never been more important to shout about than in the year of COP26.
“I am looking forward to industry reuniting in-person in December to raise a glass to celebrate the truly incredible work being done as we work towards our net zero ambition.”
Scottish Green Energy Awards shortlist 2021:
Best community project award, sponsored by Scottish National Investment Bank
Bespoke Community Development Company for Greencraig Community Wind Turbine
Hoy Development Trust
SP Energy Networks for Warmworks Scotland
Best engagement award, sponsored by SmartestEnergy
Muirhall Energy Ltd for Crossdykes Wind Farm
Net Zero Technology Centre
ScottishPower Renewables for Beinn an Tuirc 3 Windfarm
SP Energy Networks for Green Energy Fund
Best innovation award, sponsored by Red Rock Power Limited
Anakata and Ventient Energy
Gravitricity
Nova Innovation for M100-D Tidal Turbine
Orbital Marine Power
StorTera Ltd for TRAICON
Carbon reduction award, sponsored by Statkraft
City of Edinburgh Council for Kirkliston Social Housing Project
Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company for Caledonian Court
Scottish Sea Farms for Barcaldine Hatchery
West Dunbartonshire Council and Vital Energi for Queens Quay Water Source Heat Pump Project
Champion of renewables award, sponsored by Crown Estate Scotland
European Marine Energy Centre
Nicola Percival, RWE
Orbital Marine Power
SSEN Transmission
Contribution to skills award, sponsored by SSE Renewables
Cridhe Ltd for REETAP Programme
Danish Wind Power Academy UK & Ireland
ESP for Energy Efficiency Training Network
Natural Power
Outstanding contribution award, sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Winner announced on the night
Outstanding project award, sponsored by RWE Renewables
Dumfries & Galloway College for Green Energy Centre
Gravitricity Ltd for Energy Storage Demonstrator
OceanWinds for Moray East
Orbital Marine Power for the O2
West Dunbartonshire Council and Vital Energi for Queens Quay Water Source Heat Pump Project
Outstanding service award, sponsored by Green Investment Group
Blargoans Ltd
K2 Management
McMillan Consultancy
Renewable Exchange
Positive improvement award, sponsored by Natural Power
European Marine Energy Centre
Pegasus Welfare Solutions for In-Tower Turbine Toilet
Renewable Parts
Sustainable development award, sponsored by Hitachi ABB Power Grids
Allt an Lagain Hydro Scheme
ILI Group for Red John Pumped Storage Hydro Project
West Dunbartonshire Council and Vital Energi for Queens Quay Water Source Heat Pump Project
Young & inspiring award, sponsored by WSP
Anthony Kinsella, ScottishPower Renewables
Eishar Bassan, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy
Fraser Stewart, University of Strathclyde
Jack Evans, TTI Marine Renewables Ltd
Judges award, sponsored by Ocean Winds
Winner announced on the night
