After winning the Big Green Challenge earlier this year, Eigg have continued their winning streak by becoming the overall UK winner in the 10^th annual Ashden Awards. The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust won the Gold Award of £20,000 to invest in future sustainable energy work. The other low carbon energy champions, including schools, local authorities and businesses, won prizes of £10,000.

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy champion and reward life-changing ideas, from smokeless stoves in Ethiopia, to green schools in the UK, to solar powered education in Bangladesh. Six UK and six international projects were chosen as winners with one overall national and international winner. They received their awards from internationally renowned natural history filmmaker Sir David Attenborough in London on Thursday 1^st July.

Community Energy Scotland (and its predecessor the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company) has supported the Isle of Eigg Heritage trust over many years. We provided grant funding towards the island's electrification project, as well as supporting the Trust pre and post installation.

Sarah Butler-Sloss, founder and chair of the Ashden Awards, said: “This project is an inspiration to others, whether they are living on an island or in a city, and is a great example of what can be achieved with renewable energy when communities act together. The scheme has had a positive economic impact, with new businesses started and jobs created to maintain the energy system. It just goes to show how simple measures can have a big impact.”

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy were set up in 2001 to champion practical, local energy solutions that cut carbon, protect the environment, reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. 

 

Read more about the Awards and Ashden here.