The Highland Council has been awarded a top innovation prize at this year's Energy North Awards, it has been announced.

The award-winning project, Carbon Saving Capital Works for Council Buildings and Properties, focuses on biomass and the local authority has said this has helped pave the way in the renewable energy and low carbon sectors.

In the area, 75 biomass plant installation projects have been completed, while a supply and maintenance contract to provide on-hand expertise for servicing and maintenance issues has also been established. In addition, the Council added that biomass energy cabins are now used for many of the installations; this allows the cabin to be transported onto a site, connected and commissioned as a self-contained unit.

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Stuart Black, Highland Council's Director of Development and Infrastructure, said: "The judges praised the work of the team in supporting biomass in the Highlands and finding solutions to the challenges of making existing buildings as energy efficient as possible."

Councillor Thomas Prag, Chairman of the Highland Council, added: "This is an excellent result and follows on from our success of achieving 1st place in the CES Scottish National Renewables League and 3rd in the RES European Champions League.

"Making our buildings more energy efficient is a priority as not only does it make substantial reductions to running costs but it also reduces our carbon footprint.

"Our stance towards embracing renewable and sustainable technology and becoming Carbon CLEVER has led us to become a significant leader in public sector renewables and this forward thinking approach offers long term benefits for the Highlands."

(JP/IT)