The winners of the 2016 Energy Awards were announced this week with strong entries from a number of private sector companies and the public sector.

The awards recognise the achievements of local private and public sector organisations in making improvements to their energy efficiency and reducing their energy consumption and associated costs.

Geoffrey Boot MHK, Political Member at the Department of Economic Development with responsibility for Energy commented:

‘It gives me great pleasure to congratulate 2016’s winners. This year’s particularly strong entries demonstrate Isle of Man industry’s commitment to lowering their impact on the environment and reducing their energy consumption. The support of the private sector in delivering the Government’s energy policy is absolutely vital and I am privileged today to recognise those businesses who share our vision.’

Awards were presented for Best Innovation, Best Practice and Biggest Savings with public sector and private sector organisations each having their own category in respect of these.

The organisation demonstrating Best Practice in the private sector was Bernhard Schulte Ship Management, Isle of Man, for implementing a wide variety of energy efficient solutions within their offices including installation of LED lighting.

Jimmy McGuire, HRM Officer at Bernhard Schulte Ship Management commented:

‘I am delighted to be chosen as a winner at this year’s awards. By changing the lighting in the office, we not only reduced our carbon foot print but we reduced our consumption of electricity by 23% in the first year - thus reducing our electricity bills by around the same percentage. The LED lighting also created a more productive work environment.

‘As with any company the financial directors wanted to see a return, and thanks to the savings from this project I have had a positive response and backing from senior management for future projects’

The biggest saving award went to Rushen Eco Energy working with Matrix Energy Systems and Viessmann for their work at a Port Erin property, replacing existing oil heating systems with renewable technologies including ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps. The improvements resulted in a monetary saving of ?13,000 per annum for the owners.

The award for Best Innovation was given to Complete Construction Services Ltd and SNX Ltd for The New Vickerage, a top level eco-home that integrates a very highly insulated traditional house with the best practice method of significantly reducing heat loss from the building by reducing the Air Leakage.

Among the Public Sector winners were the Department of Infrastructure for their recent work at Noble’s Hospital, Douglas Borough Council for their project at Ballaughton Nurseries and Port Erin Commissioners for recent promotion of electric vehicles.

Photo - The award winners, pictured with Geoffrey Boot MHK (left) who presented the awards.