Forth Ports’ £40m renewables hub in Dundee was amongst the projects and companies honoured at the Scottish Renewables Green Energy Awards on Thursday night.
Held at the EICC in Edinburgh, more than 1,200 guests celebrated the nation’s renewable energy industry and applauded the 13 award winners who were recognised for their achievements over the past year.
Winners were selected by a panel of 14 judges from a shortlist of 46 finalists.
Amongst them was Forth Ports, which scooped the Outstanding Project Award for its custom-built, £40m renewables hub development at the Port of Dundee.
The port has an area the size of 20 football pitches including room to store and marshal wind turbine blades, as well as 500 metres of quayside with heavy lift capabilities.
Its recent investment has seen it secure multi-million pound contracts for major offshore wind schemes – including for the Inch Cape and Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) projects.
Ember – operator of the UK’s first all-electric intercity bus service – also won big, securing the Carbon Reduction Award.
The Edinburgh-headquartered company was recognised for its pioneering low-emission coach service, which can complete a 130-mile round trip between Edinburgh and Dundee on one charge.
Other notable winners include Glasgow’s ReBlade, Xodus’ X-Academy initiative and SSE Renewables, Microsoft and Avanade for their work using AI to assist with puffin and salmon monitoring.
Scotland a ‘world leader’
Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, gave a keynote address at the awards emphasising how the renewable energy industry is continuing to play a vital role in supporting Scotland’s net-zero ambitions.
Scottish Renewables chief executive Claire Mack said the event was “a fantastic way to round off what has been another incredible year for the renewable energy industry in Scotland.”
“Every year when we receive award entries it is clear why Scotland is a world leader in renewable energy and I always marvel at the sheer scale of innovation, creativity, skill, hard work and commitment that goes in to making renewable energy such a thriving industry.
“This year we had 13 brilliant winners, but it is always really difficult to choose due to the quality of all the entries that we receive. Each category is unbelievably competitive, so I’d like to congratulate all those who were shortlisted, as well as those who took home awards.”
Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables, the Awards’ headline sponsor, said: “In a year full of uncertainty, it has been a treat to celebrate the very best people, not just in our sector but in the country. Congratulations to each and every one of the winners.”
Green Energy Award winners
The full list of winners is as follows:
Best Engagement Award, sponsored by SmartestEnergy: Foundation Scotland for Vattenfall’s South Kyle Windfarm
Best Community Project Award, sponsored by Scottish Power Renewables: Aros An Rubha for Revitalisation of the Former Knock School
Young & Inspiring Award, sponsored by WSP: RES’ Gender Affinity Network
Best Innovation Award, sponsored by Red Rock Power: SSE Renewables, with Partners Microsoft and Avanade, for Artificial Intelligence Puffin and Salmon Monitoring
Contribution to Skills Award, sponsored by SSE Renewables: X-Academy
Outstanding Service Award, sponsored by Green Investment Group: ORE Catapult’s Launch Academy
Positive Improvement Award, sponsored by Natural Power: Sulmara
Champion of Renewables Award, sponsored by Fred.Olsen Renewables: Marc van Grieken, MVGLA Landscape Architecture
Outstanding Project Award, sponsored by RWE: Forth Ports Limited for Duneco Quay and Prince Charles Wharf and Extension
Sustainable Development Award, sponsored by Hitachi: Distell International
Carbon Reduction Award, sponsored by Statkraft: Ember
Judges Award, sponsored by Ocean Winds: ReBlade Ltd for Circular Disposal of Wind Turbine Blades
Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise: Patricia Hawthorn, Shepherd & Wedderburn
