The Crown Estate has won an award for sustainable development at the Green Energy Awards, recognising the success of the enabling actions in addressing the complex challenges in developing offshore renewables.
The annual Scottish Renewables event, held in Edinburgh on 6 December, saw a record 1,000 guests attend this year.
The Contribution to Sustainable Development award, sponsored by The Co-operative Bank, celebrates an organisation or initiative that has made a clear contribution to sustainable development, going above and beyond the development or generation of renewable energy.
The Crown Estate’s entry highlighted the context of new marine planning legislation, wide-ranging industry interests and the scale of the challenge involved in ensuring that sustainable development underpins offshore renewables.
Its enabling actions activity covers the ‘three pillars’ of sustainable development – ecological (e.g. comprehensive baseline monitoring); social (e.g. inclusive stakeholder / public engagement) and economic (e.g. helping to develop the supply chain).
Rob Hastings, Director of Energy and Infrastructure , said: “It’s fantastic that the hard-work, skill and dedication of the wave and tidal and offshore wind teams have been recognised at the Green Energy Awards.
“These awards are one of the most prestigious and established in the renewables industry – to have won this accolade for sustainable development really is a huge achievement. My thanks go to all staff involved in designing and implementing the enabling actions programmes.”
Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables , said: “The winners reflect the huge strength we have in Scotland’s home grown renewable energy sector , in our supply chain and in the individuals that have all worked incredibly hard to make it another successful year for the industry.
“We have seen a fantastic range of different types of projects win a Scottish Green Energy Award this year. All of them will make their own important contribution to Scotland’s ambitions for renewables and in creating jobs, promoting investment and in cutting carbon emissions over the coming years.”
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Press release, December 12, 2012