Golden Gates shortlisted for award

GOLDEN Gates Housing Trust have made it through to the final of the 2013 British Renewable Energy Awards.
They have made the final shortlist of six, whittled down from more than 150 applications.
The awards recognise outstanding achievement by renewable energy producers and promote the use of renewable energy in the UK.
GGHT Chair, Roy Smith, said: “We are extremely proud of our achievements to date and being shortlisted for such a prestigious national award is a fantastic reward for the hard work our team have put in. We recognise the pressures that many of our tenants are experiencing around welfare reform and increases in the cost of living. Our work in this area is helping many of them to escape fuel poverty and improve the quality of their lives.”
Since its launch in 2010, GGHT has set itself a series of ambitious targets around renewable energy, as it aims to become a leader in energy efficiency.
By the end of 2012 the Trust had installed renewable technology in 924 homes, making up 11% of their overall housing stock. homes, making up 11% of their overall housing stock. They have also set about on a huge investment programme to modernise and improve the energy efficiency of all tenants’ homes, installing loft and cavity wall insulation and fitting new double glazed windows and efficient central heating systems.
It received funding to install up to 228 Solar Thermal systems by the end of 2013, providing tenants with “free” hot water, and also teamed up with Warrington Council to install 623 Solar/Photovoltaic units, providing tenants with “free” electricity.
GGHT has now set a target of 15% renewables by 2014, and will also ben opening a dedicated renewables Training Academy.
The awards will be presented by Michael Portillo at a ceremony in Knightsbridge, London on the 13 June.