Sky Developments - Press - Housing Executive presents first home energy "Oscars"

Housing Executive presents first home energy "Oscars"

19 February 2009

Official Press Release from NIHE Information Office. A zero carbon house in Holywood, built by local firm Sky Developments, was amongst the winners of Northern Ireland’s first energy “Oscars” hosted by the Housing Executive.

The Home Energy Awards, presented by the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA,
showcase the best energy efficient projects within the housing market. There were six categories open to
anyone involved in schemes in the public and private sector.

“The "Green House", by Sky Developments is situated in Holywood and is Northern Ireland's first Zero
Carbon House. It features a combination of energy generation and energy conservation technologies integrated
into its innovative design. The Green House has achieved an Energy Performance Certificate rating of 93% and Level 6 in the Code for Sustainable Housing. It won the prize for the Most Energy Efficient New Build Scheme.

Other winners included the Hearth Housing Association for the Carvill Group for the Woodbrook
development in Lisburn; Eco House in Ormeau Park; Creggan Country Park for their renewables initiative,
the Northern Ireland Energy Agency for the 'Insulate Northern Ireland Scheme'; and Northern Investing in Health Partnership for their fuel poverty scheme.

Margaret Richie, Social Development Minister said:

“I would like to congratulate the companies and organisations honored today for their work in improving
energy efficiency and tackling fuel poverty. It is evident that there is a lot of good work being done in the
Energy Efficiency sector and it is right that these efforts are being recognised today."

Brian Rowntree, the Housing Executive's Chairman said:

“We have had some excellent entries for the various categories in this the first year of the Awards. I think the level of commitment to improving energy efficiency in Northern Ireland, in both the social and private sectors is clear from the high standard of entries we received.

I hope this year's awards spur the continuation of such efforts and look forward to next year's ceremony."

The awards were organised by the Housing Executive and sponsored by Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, Phoenix Natural Gas, Firmus Energy, Action Renewables, Energy Saving Trust and NIE Energy.

Ends

Notes:

The Home Energy Awards took place at the Stormont Hotel, on 18 February

The Housing Executive hosted the awards as the Home Energy Conservation Authority for Northern Ireland