Member Article

The North East’s on fire with top renewable energy awards

Two North East-based renewable energy specialists have triumphed at the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Awards, held at Kensington Roof Gardens in London.

The Wood Heating Company, based in Cramlington, picked up the prize for Biomass Installer of the Year and North Shields’ Geowarmth was selected as Ground Source Heat Pump Installer of the Year.

The awards saw more than 300 of the industry’s biggest names gather at Friday’s ceremony to showcase the best talent within the renewable energy sector.

The Wood Heating Company is one of the longest-standing installers of biomass systems in the UK, with a heritage stretching back over 30 years. Success at the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Awards comes after The Wood Heating Company was named Rural Installer of the year at the Heating and Ventilating News Awards earlier this year.

Commenting on the award win, Mike Blakeley, managing director at the Wood Heating Company and sister company IXUS Energy, said: “We work hard to deliver the very best in customer service and provide well designed, efficient and cost-effective installations. To have this recognised nationally is a testament to the fantastic team we have.

Judges praised efforts to offer the best possible customer experience, which often involves partnering with suppliers and other service providers to deliver excellence to mutual customers. The Wood Heating Company’s sister company IXUS Energy, a biomass boiler distribution firm, for example, works on biomass projects with the North East’s other award winner, Geowarmth.

“The fact that two North East renewable energy installers have been recognised as leaders in our respective fields is more evidence that the region is leading the way with green heating technology.”

In a young industry Geowarmth also has a long history. Starting off in ground source heat pumps, Geowarmth is renowned as a heat pump specialist, but has the advantage of offering other technologies including biomass and solar panels to be a true renewable energy solutions provider.

At the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Awards Geowarmth was also shortlisted as Commercial Installer of the Year as well as winning the Ground Source Heat Pump Installer of the year category. The judges were impressed with the range of renewable technologies offered by Geowarmth and the carbon neutral buildings that feature in many of Geowarmth’s projects.

They reviewed Geowarmth’s portfolio which includes many of the largest heat pump projects in the North of England; for example recent work includes 1km of horizontal ground loop trenches at Fountains Abbey, the World Heritage site in Yorkshire, 52 x 125m boreholes in Blyth, Northumberland and an open loop scheme at a school in Lancashire. The judges further noted that in-house ground loop design software and conductivity test equipment support Geowarmth’s specialism in ground source heat pumps.

Like The Wood Heating Company, Geowarmth has also celebrated other award successes this year winning three categories at the prestigious 2014 National Heat Pump Awards with nominations in a further two categories.

John Withers, Managing Director at Geowarmth, said: “It’s great news that we have won this award, particularly as we celebrate our tenth year in business. This award win underlines our commitment to deliver the very best standards for our customers. Ours is a relatively young industry but it is growing fast as more and more people become aware of the energy and cost savings that can be achieved. Consequently we have seen strong growth in our business this year.

“The judges considered how both The Wood Heating Company and Geowarmth work together to improve the customer journey. A renewables installation is a major piece of work for our customers. By offering the best products on the market and with our track record and guidance, we take pride in helping customers make the right cost-effective choices.”

As the UK moves to reduce reliance on fossil fuels both businesses have geared themselves up for further growth with the two businesses each relocating to larger premises in 2013.

For more information about The Wood Heating Company, visit: www.twhcbiomass.com

For more information about Geowarmth, visit: www.geowarmth.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Finlay Magowan .