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Northern Ireland schools celebrate environmental achievements at the SSE Airtricity and Eco-Schools Global Wind Awards

16 Jun 2014
Rosemount NPS

Eco-Schools from across Northern Ireland gathered at the Everglades Hotel in County Derry~Londonderry last week for the 2014 SSE Airtricity and Eco-Schools Global Wind Awards.

The awards, which were attended by 30 Eco-Schools from across Northern Ireland, were the highlight of Global Wind Month, the annual celebration of wind power across the world.

On the day, Eco-Schools celebrated their environmental achievements from the last 12 months with a variety of presentations and exhibitions, as well as the Global Wind Awards for Operation Energy Project of the Year and Eco-Committee of the Year.

The Operation Energy Project of the Year award recognised the special efforts made by Holy Trinity College and Bridge Integrated Primary, in studying the Eco-Schools Energy topic. While the Eco-Committee of the year awards went to Rosemount Primary and St Colm’s High School, Draperstown.

The day itself was saw over 120 pupils take a specially guided tour of SSE Airtricity’s 76MW Slieve Kirk Wind Farm,  many of whom experienced the power of wind up close for the very first time. Fittingly, the Global Wind Awards were hosted by UTV weatherman, Frank Mitchell.

The winning schools received their awards from Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Managing Director, Ian Humphreys and SSE Airtricity’s, Jason Cooke.

SSE Airtricity’s Jason Cooke said: “Congratulations to all the finalists who took part. The high quality of entries into this year’s Global Wind Awards made the adjudication process extremely difficult. We hope everyone involved in today’s awards has taken away SSE Airtricity’s message of positive energy and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year.

Eco-Schools Manager, Carmel Fyfe, commented: “Congratulations to the winning schools and all the finalists on all their great work. Our young people care deeply about the environment and through their Eco-Schools work are making a positive change to their wider communities. It is wonderful to see the schools excelling in such a prestigious international programme and we are delighted to be supported by SSE Airtricity in rewarding them through these very special Global Wind Awards.”