Glenfield Electrical wins Green Apple Award for sustainability campaig

Leicestershire electrical contractor Glenfield Electrical has won an international Green Apple Award for Environmental Excellence for its campaign helping local businesses reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.

The company received the award in the Electrical and Electronics category for its A Sustainable Future for Leicestershire Business campaign, which examined the barriers preventing local firms from adopting cleaner energy solutions.

Selected from more than 700 entries worldwide, Glenfield Electrical will receive its accolade at a ceremony at the House of Lords this November.

Phil Houlder, Managing Director of Glenfield Electrical, says, “Winning this award is a proud moment for us, and we hope it brings more attention to the difficulties local firms are facing.”

The campaign began with a survey of 40 Leicestershire businesses, followed by interviews with local business owners. Three in five respondents expressed concern about energy costs, while 85% were unaware of government or local grants available to support energy efficiency improvements.

Although 82.5% wanted to reduce their carbon footprint, just 17.5% had firm plans to install renewable technology within the following year.

Interviews also highlighted difficulties for businesses renting their premises, with some unable to secure landlords’ permission for improvements, even when willing to fund the work themselves.

Glenfield Electrical has incorporated its findings into a report and is developing free, industry-specific guides for businesses, including breweries and manufacturers, to help identify suitable energy-saving measures.

The campaign has also received support from Mid-Leicestershire MP Peter Bedford, who visited the company’s headquarters and pledged to raise local businesses’ concerns in Westminster.