A joint partnership from Energise Barnsley, Barnsley Council and Berneslai Homes has been shortlisted in the Net Zero category of the LGC Awards.

So far, the partnership has installed 321 solar panels, 140 smart batteries, and 40 heat pumps have been installed into social housing managed by Berneslai Homes and 16 council buildings in Barnsley,

The ongoing 1,000 homes project is building on this progress by aiming to provide solar panels to 1,000 homes in Barnsley to help reduce fuel poverty across the borough. This project will help bring clean, renewable energy to communities across and aims to generate 41,000 MWHs of energy free for council housing tenants, saving 24,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions and providing more than £19m in collective savings over its lifetime.

Judging for the awards will take place on Friday 4 April with the winner announced on 11 June.

Councillor James Higginbottom, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment and Highways, said:

“It is great to see our ongoing partnership with Energise Barnsley and Bernslai Homes recognised and shortlisted for an LGC award.

“The partnership and its associated projects have been working hard to address fuel poverty in the borough and provide direct benefits, such as reduced energy bills, to low-income households and social housing tenants.

“I look forward to seeing the further progress the partnership will make and wish the team the best of luck in the judging process for the LGC Awards.”

Bethan Wynton, Project Manager at Energise Barnsley, said:

“We are very proud to be nominated for this award and have many partners to thank for their support and hard work on our projects, including Bernslai Homes, Barnsley Council, National Energy Action (NEA), and Age UK Barnsley.

“As community energy grows, we hope to see many more net zero homes, whilst fuel poverty and the just transition become a top priority."