Last month, Solar Power Portal revealed the shortlists for this year’s Solar Power Portal and Clean Energy Awards, sponsored by Trina Solar.
More than 60 projects have been shortlisted across 12 categories ahead of what promises to be a glittering occasion at Birmingham NEC’s Hilton Metropole, hosted by stand up comedian Jimmy Carr.
In the latest article of a series of shortlist spotlight features, here are the nominees for 2016’s Commercial Energy Management award.
- British Solar Renewables - Swindon Solar Farm
- Nottingham City Council - Wollaston Hall
- British Solar Renewables - Shotwick Solar Farm
BSR – a double nominee in this award – completed the Shotwick Solar Farm in March 2016, qualifying for grace-period Renewables Obligation subsidy. The 50MW development was a joint venture alongside China’s WElink Energy and The Compton Group.
After being fully accredited by Ofgem recently, the project’s joint developers have claimed it to be the largest private wire solar farm in the UK. It is connected to the nearby UPM Shotton paper mill, supplying the energy-intensive facility with up to 100% of its daytime energy demand. UPM, a chemicals and paper conglomerate based in Finland, has entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement with WElink for the generated electricity.
In doing so, UPM has effectively decarbonised a considerable portion of its energy supply and offset its exposure to energy price fluctuations.
“This collaboration with WElink Energy, BSR and the Compton Group means we now have one of the most sophisticated energy provisions in manufacturing and adds to our strong environmental credentials which are recognised by the Welsh Government and its sustainability teams,” said Andrew Bronnert, head of pump and energy at UPM Shotton.
The winner of this year’s Clean Energy Product Innovation award will be announced at the awards ceremony on 5 October. Tickets are now available and can be purchased online here, or by contacting sbradshaw@solarmedia.co.uk.