On 2 June, at the John Paul II Centre in Bicester, Cherwell District Council’s EcoBicester project won the National Energy Foundation regional awards. It means that the project can now move forward to the next stage, the international awards to be held in in the Netherlands in November.
EcoBicester won in the category “Best Energy Smart Initiative by a Local Authority”. Under the title Energy Smart Bicester the team demonstrated the zero carbon NW Bicester development, as well as the whole town approach focusing on smart energy measures such as the new EcoBicester boiler scheme. The judges decided that as EcoBicester was able to demonstrate initiatives that are innovative, exemplary and replicable.
Cherwell District Council’s leader, Cllr Barry Wood said: “Winning this award isn’t just a self-congratulatory slap on the back. It’s concrete evidence that the council is heading in the right direction with EcoBicester and recognition from energy efficiency colleagues of the value of the initiative. My congratulations to the team and I wish them luck in the November finals.”
The award is part of a European project, Ace Academy of Champions for Energy. The aim of the award is to reward and recognise individuals, organisations, initiatives and projects for delivering sustainable energy at a local level and bringing both social and environmental benefits.
Each European partner has their own awards ceremony and the winners from each country are invited to attend the international ceremony.
For media enquiries please contact:
Tony Ecclestone
Phone: 01295 227942
Email: tony.ecclestone@cherwell-dc.gov.uk
The National Energy Foundation has worked in partnership with Ace (Academy of Champions for Energy) on the awards. Ace is currently running in Ireland, Southern England, France, Belgium and Holland. It aims to promote renewable energy and energy transition, and hopes to achieve this through the development of the transnational academy, bringing together public and private agencies to champion sustainable energy.