Northern Investing for Health Partnership

An initiative to help those in fuel poverty in the North East was amongst the winners of Northern Ireland’s first Home Energy Awards hosted by the Housing Executive at the Stormont Hotel on 18 February 2009.  The Awards were presented by the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA.

The Awards which showcase the best energy efficient projects within the housing market were sponsored by the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, Phoenix Natural Gas, Firmus Energy, Action Renewables, the Energy Saving Trust and NIE Energy.

The Northern Investing for Health Partnership’s ‘Warmer Ways to Better Health’ initiative won the prize for ‘Most Innovative Fuel Poverty Scheme’. It was chosen for its ability to target people facing fuel poverty across the Northern Health & Social Services Board area. Through a number of partnerships it has referred over 1,600 households to fuel poverty grant schemes, trained over 400 people in energy efficiency and supported the establishment of seven oil stamp savings schemes.

Jacqueline Frazer, Northern Investing for Health Partnership, is pictured
with Margaret Ritchie MLA, Brian Rowntree, Chairman of the Housing
Executive and Alastair Pollock, Phoenix Natural Gas.

Margaret Ritchie, 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.”

Jacqui Frazer, Fuel Poverty Strategy Co-ordinator for the Northern Investing for Health Partnership said:

 “The Fuel Poverty Steering Group is a multi-agency partnership whose vision is to reduce fuel poverty by minimising energy inefficiency and maximising the incomes of households considered to be at greatest risk. The success of our work has only been possible because of the tremendous commitment of all of our partners”.

There were five categories open to anyone involved in schemes in the public and private sector.  The categories and their winners were:

•    Most Effective Marketing Initiative sponsored by the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation – Winner – the Northern Ireland Energy Agency for the ‘Insulate Northern Ireland’ scheme. The advice centre developed and implemented an effective marketing campaign to encourage the owner occupied market to insulate their homes.

•    Most Innovative Fuel Poverty Scheme sponsored by Phoenix Natural Gas – Winner – Northern Investing for Health Partnership’s Fuel Poverty Steering Group for ‘Warmer Ways to Better Health’ scheme. The vision of the Warmer Ways to Better Health scheme is to reduce fuel poverty by minimizing energy inefficiency and maximizing the incomes of households who would be considered to be at greatest risk across the partnership area.

•    Most Energy Efficient Initiative – Community Groups sponsored by Firmus Energy – Winner – Creggan Country Park Enterprises Ltd for ‘Creggan Country Park, Derry’. Creggan Country Park works to encourage environmental awareness through education and a robust development programme incorporating renewable technologies including a 20kW wind turbine and a hydro electric scheme.

•    Most Energy Efficient Refurbishment Scheme sponsored by Action Renewables – Winner – Hearth Housing Association for ‘Ormeau Park Eco House’. This scheme involved the restoration of the head gardener’s house in Ormeau Park into Hearth Housing Association’s first Eco House. This historic building was refurbished using sustainable materials and renewable technologies for heating.

•    Most Energy Efficient New Build Scheme – Joint Winners
First Winner sponsored by the Energy Saving Trust is the Carvill Group for the ‘Woodbrook Development’ in Lisburn. ‘Woodbrook’ is the Carvill Group’s most sustainable private residential development to date. Phase 1 features 358 units built to “Very Good” Eco Homes standards. Heating is provided by a biomass fuelled district heating system. A free bicycle, Translink Travelpass, composting facilities and rainwater collectors are also provided. The result is a 75% saving in CO2 emissions.

Second Winner sponsored by NIE Energy is Sky Developments for ‘The Green House’. The ‘Green House’ is situated in Holywood and is Northern Ireland’s first Carbon Zero home. 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% (A) and Level 6 in the Code for Sustainable Housing.  A first in Northern Ireland!

Each winner was presented with a specially commissioned ceramic platter made by local artist Diane McCormick.

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