RE4D Wins Award
28th July, 2010
Devon County Council is celebrating after learning it has won a prestigious award thanks to its support for green initiatives.
The Council scooped the Public Sector Energy Award with its Renewable Energy 4 Devon scheme (RE4D) at the Government Business Awards last night (Thursday) in London.
It was also commended in the Regeneration Project Award category for the Princetown Village Centre scheme.
The Public Sector Energy Award goes to the project which demonstrates real carbon savings and projects a positive environmental image for the authority.
RE4D supports the development of small-scale renewable energy installations and works with the renewable energy sector to improve its capacity and productivity. To date it has helped over 345 businesses.
Devon County Council’s biomass boiler replacement programme also received a special mention.
The 840kW biomass boiler is installed at County Hall and has already saved 350 tonnes of CO2.
There are plans for biomass installations in a further four County Council properties this year. These are expected to save 216 tonnes of CO2 in total.
Councillor William Mumford, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Strategic Planning, said: “We are very pleased that Devon County Council’s outstanding achievements have been recognised. Renewable energy has a vital role to play in making Devon’s economy more robust.
“Boosting demand also boosts the need for supply. Devon is able to provide both the skills and the resources to fulfil each of these aspects. We are committed to ensuring that the rural economy is supported and able to prosper.”
Devon County Council contributed £400,000 to Princetown Village Centre’s Duchy Square project to encourage new and emerging artistic talent to Devon and to provide premises for individuals to produce and showcase their work.
Since opening last March, Duchy Square has provided workshop space, business and marketing support to 14 creative businesses and delivered around 50 workshops to the public.
The Government Business Awards recognise effective business practices in the public sector. Awards were presented to 15 organisations in total which are able to demonstrate innovation and efficiency.
Devon County Council was put forward by researchers from Public Sector Information, the publisher of Government Business magazine.
TV presenter Nicholas Owen presented the awards at Arsenal Football Club’s Emirates Stadium.
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