Global Wind Awards energise Eco-Schools achievements
Christine Cahoon Mon 20 Apr 2015 updated: Thu 22 Oct 2015
SSE Airtricity and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, Eco-Schools are delighted to announce the third year of the Global Wind Awards. Schools from across Northern Ireland are invited to nominate their Eco-Committee and Operation Energy projects for the annual awards ceremony held at Slieve Kirk Wind Farm in June.
The Awards have been a great success in past years with pupils enjoying the opportunity to get up close to, and even inside, the wind turbines and learn all about wind power and renewable energy. New to the Awards this year is a Family Energy Champions category which invites pupils to investigate what they do at home to save energy and involve family members in making a creative poster highlighting their top energy saving tips.
Dundonald Primary School have taken part in SSE Airtricity’s Operation Energy, Power Down Day, for the past two years, saving over 20% of their energy usage on the day. They have just achieved their first Eco-Schools internationally recognised Green Flag Award and are excited by the prospect of having their energy saving efforts recognised in the Global Wind Awards.
Visiting the school Josh Bradley, Communications Manager, from SSE Airtricity said: “The pupils at Dundonald have an infectious enthusiasm for learning about energy, so it’s great that their efforts have now been recognised with an Eco-Schools Green Flag. At SSE Airtricity, we’re delighted to be powering the Global Wind Awards for a third year. The commitment shown by teachers and pupils across Northern Ireland to the Eco-Schools programme deserves to be celebrated and rewarded. The event itself has been a roaring success in the last two years, and I’m sure it will be even bigger and better this time around.”
Eco-Schools Northern Ireland have cause to celebrate this year as they mark their 20th anniversary and being the first country in the world to achieve 100% registration. SSE Airtricity have been principal sponsors of Eco-Schools in Northern Ireland for the past four years and actively support the energy topic with their free Operation Energy teaching resources.
Carmel Fyfe, Eco-Schools Manager, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful said:
“The Global Wind Awards are a special opportunity to recognise the dedication of Eco-Schools to looking after the environment. It is clear that Eco-Schools are extremely interested in learning more about energy efficiency and working with SSE Airtricity is a really great way to help schools with this.”
Full details of how to enter the SSE Airtricity and Eco-Schools Global Wind Awards can be found on the Eco-Schools website in the Competitions page or contact eco-schools@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org. The closing date for entries is Friday 8th May.