Council named league champions 2013 in both the hydro power and biomass divisions in the Scottish National Renewables League inaugural awards.

Argyll and Bute Council collected two league champions’ awards for biomass and hydro projects at the inaugural Scottish National Renewables Energy League awards, during the Community Energy Scotland (CES) conference, held in the Partick Burgh Halls on Wednesday.

Sustainable Environment and Renewables Policy Lead, Councillor Vivien Dance collected the awards. She said afterwards, ‘’Renewable energy forms a key part of the council’s economic development plan and we are delighted to see our efforts at a local level recognised nationally.  I was privileged to collect the Champion League certificates from Alyn Smith MEP on behalf of the council, its partners and communities who have achieved League Champion status by collective working and commitment to using the mix of renewable resources at our disposal, as well as our considerable local expertise, to drive economic growth throughout the region.’’

The award recognises Argyll and Bute Council’s proactive approach, including the information promoted on its website and the number of community led projects that the council has supported.

The completed biomass projects, which involve the installation of pellet or chip boilers, include the Mull progressive care centre and the Tobermory pre-5 unit. On-going projects include the Islay and Bowmore primary schools, the Kilmory offices and nursery and the Lochgilphead joint campus. Among the hydro projects the council supports is the Cruachan hydro-electric scheme, the first of its kind in the world.

These projects form a key part of Argyll and Bute Council’s Carbon Management Plan.

This is the first year that CES has promoted these awards, which showcased excellence in the field of renewable energy. The renewables league promotes the positives of renewables to communities and councils whilst giving an element of friendly competition. The criterion for the award is based on a European wide league system.

CES provides on-going support for all aspects of community energy project development and brings communities and policy makers together to find new ways forward.

As detailed in the Argyll and Bute Renewable Energy Action Plan, Argyll and Bute has huge natural renewable resources of hydro, wind, wave, tidal and biomass. Renewable energy forms a key part of the council’s Economic Development Plan.