Local Companies Rewarded For Their Sustainable Activities

South West College has been recognised for their  outstanding contribution to the renewable energy  sector in Northern Ireland, at the Action Renewables  Association Awards, held in association with Tughans  and Travelwise NI.

Eight other local private and  public sector companies were  also recognised and rewarded at  the event for their innovation in  renewable energy technologies,  and thought-leading sustainability  and awareness raising initiatives.

These included;

The Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown  Best Energy Saving SME  (sponsored by Electric Ireland)

Todd Architects, Belfast  Most Innovative Construction  Project (sponsored by  The Ardminnan Group)

BlueBuild Energy Ltd, Bangor  Most Innovative Renewables  Installation (sponsored by  Dimplex Renewables)

Queens University Belfast  Most Sustainable Travel Plan  implemented by SME  (sponsored by Travelwise NI)

Holy Child Primary School,  Belfast  Renewable Energy  Awareness Award (Best School)  (sponsored by RES)

South Eastern Regional  College, Newtownards  Best Training Provider  (sponsored by SummitSkills)

Alternative Heat, Castlewellan  Best Community Project  (sponsored by brites)

Turley Associates, Belfast  and Michael Burroughs  Associations, Holywood 

Best Planner: Renewable  Energy Project (sponsored by  Action Renewables)  Michael Doran, Director of Action  Renewables, commented: “I  would like to congratulate all of  our winners, who  together are making a  significant contribution  to the development of  the renewable energy  industry in Northern  Ireland. This year we  received double the  amount of entries into  our awards, which is very  encouraging and demonstrates  the growing commitment which  local companies have to  improving their ‘green’  credentials. These companies  represent both the public and  private sector, and together they  are embracing alternative energy,  new technologies, and are  implementing sustainable  initiatives. This is proving to be  extremely beneficial to their  business and helping them to  invest for the future.”  Andrew Ryan, Partner and Head  of Energy, Environment and  Planning, Tughans, said: “These  awards play an important role in  helping to give local companies  the recognition they deserve for  the excellent work they are doing  within the  fast developing ‘green’  sector. Tughans are once again  delighted to be involved and I  would like to congratulate the  winners and commend all the  finalists.”  Andy Bready of DRD Travelwise  NI, added: “We would like to  congratulate all those who  entered the awards and  encourage other  organisations to follow  their lead in adopting  sustainable business  practices. In particular we  would like to  acknowledge the winners  of the ‘Most Sustainable  Travel Plan’ category,  Queen’s University, for  their commitment to  supporting sustainable  travel alternatives to help  relieve congestion,  preserve the environment and  improve the health and wellbeing  of staff.”  The Action Renewables  Association Awards took place in  the Titanic Belfast attraction as  one of a series of familiarisation  events taking place ahead of the  official opening of Titanic Belfast.  For further information visit