The Scottish Green Energy Awards 2026 The Categories

Scottish Renewables is delighted to announce The Scottish Green Energy Awards 2026 categories!

A full list of categories can be found below. It's free to nominate and you can submit as many nominations as you wish. Nominated individuals, projects and companies must be either based in Scotland or their work must contribute to or have an impact on the renewable energy industry in Scotland. Each nomination will consist of three questions based around the category guidelines. A 1-sided A4 document can be submitted as supplementary information.

KEY DATES
Nominations deadline: 5pm on Tuesday, 8 September
Finalists announced: w/c 12 October
Winners announced: Thursday, 3 December

If you have any questions, please contact the Events Team at events@scottishrenewables.com.

Good luck!

NOMINATE NOW!

BEST COMMUNITY PROJECT AWARD

Sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables

This award celebrates the outstanding development of a renewable energy project – electricity or heat – led by a community group or community organisation. Judges are looking for projects that have empowered people, delivered lasting benefits and demonstrated the positive value of renewable energy to local communities.

Guidelines

• Project must have been completed within the last 24 months.
• Demonstrate a contribution to the renewable energy industry in Scotland.
• Detail how the project has benefitted the local community.
• How did the project overcome barriers and what was the outcome?
• Detail key information/statistics, e.g. energy produced, capacity installed, jobs created, financial income to community, carbon saved.

BEST ENGAGEMENT AWARD

Sponsored by SmartestEnergy

This award recognises exemplary community, public or other stakeholder engagement before, during or after the development of a renewable energy project. It celebrates those who have built meaningful relationships, fostered understanding and created lasting support for renewable energy.

Guidelines

• Project must have been completed, or be under construction, within the last 24 months.
• Demonstrate contribution to renewable energy industry in Scotland.
• Detail how the project has benefitted a community, the public or other stakeholders.
• How did the developer engage and overcome barriers and what was the outcome?

BEST INNOVATION AWARD – NEW TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS

Sponsored by SLR

One of the most hotly contested of The Scottish Green Energy Awards, this award shines a light on the value that innovation brings to our industry. It recognises a breakthrough product, design, solution or technology that is helping to accelerate the development of renewable energy through improved performance, greater efficiency or reduced cost.

Guidelines

• Project must have been completed within past 24 months
• Highlight evidence of why this new product, design or process benefits the Scottish renewable energy industry
• Why is it unique – how does it improve upon previous practice?

BEST INNOVATION AWARD – SOFTWARE AND SERVICES

Data, digital innovation and specialist services underpin every part of the energy transition. This award celebrates the behind-the-scenes expertise that help renewable energy projects succeed. From digital platforms to consultancy and specialist support, judges are looking for solutions and services that have demonstrated measurable impact.

Guidelines

• Software or service must have been in use in Scotland’s renewable energy industry – or elsewhere in the world if produced by a Scottish business - within past 24 months.
• Highlight evidence of why this new product, design or process benefits the Scottish renewable energy industry.
• Why is it unique – how does it improve upon previous practice?
  

CARBON REDUCTION AWARD

Sponsored by Statkraft

Previous winners of this award have used renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint while delivering wider benefits for their organisations, local communities and beyond. This year’s Carbon Reduction Award will recognise a non-energy business, charity or public body that has demonstrated a clear commitment to cutting CO2 through the deployment of green energy technology.

Guidelines

• Project must have been completed in the last 24 months.
• Reflect how it is contributing to Scotland’s renewable energy industry.
• Provide evidence of benefits, e.g. efficiency, cost reduction, carbon savings or making in-roads within the challenging heat and transport sectors.
• List key project partners/suppliers who were involved in delivery of the project.
  

CHAMPION OF RENEWABLES AWARD

Sponsored by Fred. Olsen Renewables

Our industry champions play a vital role in raising the profile and reputation of renewable energy. This award recognises an individual, team, organisation or campaign that has inspired others, influenced perceptions and helped build support for Scotland’s renewable energy industry.

Guidelines

• Please provide evidence of contribution to renewable energy in Scotland within past 24 months.

CONTRIBUTION TO SKILLS AWARD

Sponsored by SSEN Transmission

Scotland’s renewable energy industry depends on a skilled, diverse and future-ready workforce. This award celebrates those individuals and organisations who are investing in people by developing talent, creating opportunities and helping to build the skills our industry needs now and in the future.

Guidelines

• Initiative implemented or impact delivered within last 24 months.
• Please provide evidence to show impact on employment in Scotland’s renewable energy industry.
  

INDUSTRY CHALLENGER AWARD

Sponsored by Natural Power

The Industry Challenger Award celebrates an individual, team or organisation that dares to do things differently by challenging the status quo and driving positive change. Whether through innovation in policy, legislation, education, diversity, health and safety, judges are looking for bold thinking and creative solutions that have the potential to benefit the industry as a whole.

Guidelines

• Nominee activity must have been directly carried out within a business operating within the renewable energy industry in Scotland.
• Provide an overview of the individual, project or company, detailing the work they have done to bring radical change (can include behavioural and cultural) to the industry, who has benefitted and why the change is important.  
  

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD

Sponsored by Nadara

People are at the heart of Scotland’s renewable energy industry. This award recognises an individual whose long-term dedication, leadership and achievements have made an exceptional contribution to the growth and success of renewable energy in Scotland.

Guidelines

• Highlight how this individual has contributed to the success of the renewable energy industry in Scotland.
• Please explain key achievements, activities, enthusiasm and outcomes this individual has demonstrated over their life/career.
  

OUTSTANDING PROJECT AWARD

Renewable energy projects are transforming Scotland’s energy system while delivering benefits for our communities, environment and economy. This award recognises an outstanding project that has demonstrated excellence in delivery, innovation and impact, setting a benchmark for the industry and showcasing Scotland’s global leadership in renewable energy.

Guidelines

• Project must have been completed within the last 24 months.
• Demonstrate its contribution to the renewable energy industry in Scotland.
• Ideally detail key information/statistics, e.g. energy produced, capacity installed, jobs created or explain its contribution to making progress on key areas such as heat and transport.
  

OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD

Sponsored by Ocean Winds

Behind every successful renewable energy project is a network of trusted partners. This award celebrates the organisations whose expertise, professionalism and commitment have made an exceptional contribution to Scotland’s renewable energy supply chain, including professional services, technical specialists, engineers and hardware suppliers.

Guidelines

• Please supply evidence from the last 24 months, e.g. case study example.
• Reflect how your service has contributed to or impacted on Scotland’s renewable energy industry.
  

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Sponsored by Boralex

Renewable energy is now the backbone of Scotland's energy system, making sustainability more important than ever. This award recognises a renewable energy project or initiative that has embedded environmental, social and economic sustainability throughout its delivery and operation, setting new standards and creating lasting benefits.

Guidelines

• Work must have been completed within the last 24 months.
• Demonstrate how the project, organisation, group or initiative has contributed to sustainable development, e.g. environmental impact mitigation (e.g. habitat management), building a sustainable economy, local employment, resource efficiency, carbon reduction, contribution to local health and wellbeing (e.g. recreation/leisure provision).
• Show how the Scottish renewable energy industry has benefitted. 

YOUNG & INSPIRING AWARD

Sponsored by ESB

All winners of the Young Professionals Green Energy Award 2026 will automatically be nominated for this award. It is therefore not possible to enter this category. 

JUDGES AWARD

Sponsored by Global

An individual, organisation or project that the judges felt deserved special commendation.  It is not possible to enter this category, and the winner will be announced on the night.

NOMINATE NOW!