Contact: Anna Stanford, Media Officer: +44 (0)1795 536667 or +44 (0)776 1103465
   

UK WIND FARM DEVELOPER RECOGNISED BY THE QUEEN

 

Leading wind energy developer Renewable Energy Systems (RES) has won the most prestigious business award in the UK - the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, it was announced today, the Queen’s birthday.

The Award, which is in the Sustainable Development category, recognises RES’s considerable commercial success as a developer, builder and operator of wind energy projects in the UK and overseas and the company’s overall commitment to clean energy and social responsibility in all aspects of its business. Singled out for praise were RES’s award-winning ‘zero-emissions’ headquarters and educational centre and the company’s comprehensive approach to environmental and social impact assessment prior to the commencement of every wind farm project.

Dr Ian Mays, Managing Director of the RES Group, said;

“RES has been at the forefront of the wind industry from the very beginning and brings experience, skills and vision to what is now the world’s fastest growing industry. Our success both in the UK and overseas is a reflection not just of the quality of our people but of society’s growing recognition that wind energy has a vital role to play in meeting our future energy needs in a sustainable and economic way. This is a very proud day for us and our thanks go to our employees, clients, partners and suppliers who have contributed to our success."

RES is part of the large British construction and engineering group, Sir Robert McAlpine. To date it has built over 900MW of wind energy capacity in the UK, Europe, North America and the Caribbean. The company has been expanding significantly over the last five years and last month secured a financial deal with three major banks to finance the growth of its European generating portfolio.

In 2003, RES moved into pioneering new environmentally-friendly headquarters, Beaufort Court. The zero emissions development is self-sufficient in renewable energy generated on-site, including solar power, energy crops and a 50m wind turbine visible to the 160,000 motorists who use the M25 motorway every day. The office has a natural borehole cooling system, a green travel strategy including a hybrid pool-car and a popular visitor centre outlining the benefits of renewable energy and sustainable development. Beaufort Court is the first example in the world of a historical building refurbished as a zero-emissions commercial development and has been hailed as a landmark example of the integration of renewable energy into the built environment.

Commenting on the HQ, Ian Mays added;

“Beaufort Court embodies the whole company’s commitment to the environment and to innovation. It is a living example of sustainability, capable of replication around the world. Not only is it a stunning place to work, but it is legacy from which others can learn.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors
1. RES built its first wind farm in Cornwall in 1992 and has to date completed over 900MW of wind generating capacity, including the 280MW King Mountain wind ranch in Texas, which was at the time of construction in 2001 the world’s largest wind project. More recently, RES completed Jamaica’s largest wind energy project, which survived Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and as well as an expanding portfolio of onshore projects, is also working on offshore wind development around the British coast with large utilities such as Centrica. The RES Group of companies has over 170 employees and a turnover in 2004 of more than £53 million.
2. The re-development of Beaufort Court using best practice sustainable strategies was achieved with EU support the EC Framework 5 Programme. The main project partners and contractors were Studio E Architects, Max Fordham LLP (Consulting Environmental and Building Services Engineers), Netherlands Energy Research Foundation (ECN), Shell Solar, Esbensen Consulting Engineers and Dewhurst Macfarlane. Support from the Department of Trade and Industry has been provided to assist in information and dissemination activities. A dedicated website can be found at:
3. The Queen’s Award paid particular tribute to RES’s approach to the sensitive development of wind farm projects, including comprehensive environmental assessments and the importance of consultation with local communities. This ensures that wind energy remains popular through sympathetic integration into the local environment, and maximises the environmental, social and economic benefits the industry can create for the UK.


High resolution photos are available, including:
- Beaufort Court, RES’s award-winning HQ & visitor centre, showing wind turbine
- King Mountain wind ranch, Texas, built by RES in 2001 - at the time the world’s largest wind project.
- RES’s most recent project at Glens of Foudland, Scotland
 

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Anna Stanford, Media Officer, RES, +44 (0) 1923 299203 or +44 (0) 776 110 3465
Email .