SWINDON Council’s waste firm Public Power Solutions has been shortlisted for prestigious green energy award.

The company based in Cheney Manor is in the running for a coveted ‘most proactive public sector body’ title for a second year in a row.

The 13th annual awards ceremony, held by Regen SW in Bath’s Assembly Rooms on November 29, will honour the innovation, dedication and creative ingenuity that has put the south west of England at the forefront of the green energy revolution.

PPS is helping the council to install 200 MW renewable capacity by 2020, to meet the equivalent energy needs of every home in the town.

Its innovations include the UK’s first solar farm funded by council-backed solar bonds sold directly to the public – Swindon Community Solar Farm.

It also developed the UK’s second-largest solar park with the Science Museum at Wroughton Airfield, which is delivering a community benefit fund, being administered by the Wiltshire Community Foundation. The Wroughton Airfield Solar Park has also been shortlisted for best renewable energy project.

Steve Cains, head of power solutions, Public Power Solutions, said: “Public Power Solutions projects put communities at their heart, while creating value for the public sector.

“We are proud of our unique approach to renewable energy which is creating innovative models for the future. We are very pleased to be shortlisted for a green energy award for the second consecutive year which is a result to the hard work of our small, dedicated team.”

Merlin Hyman, chief executive of Regen SW, said: "We face a pressing need to reinvent the way we generate, use and supply energy.

“It is inspiring to see the skill and dedication demonstrated by so many local companies and organisations who are rising to this challenge and developing ground-breaking renewable energy projects, pioneering smart power initiatives and working in partnership with local communities.”

The shortlisted nominees will now go through to the final stage of judging, where an expert panel of judges, including representatives from the National Trust, WWF and the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy will select this year’s winners to be announced at the ceremony.