Sustainable Energy Champion Of The Year Awarded To Bristol Council Energy Officer

Sustainable Energy Champion of the Year in the South West has been awarded to one of the council’s lead officers for its energy programme.

Mareike Schmidt, Bristol City Council’s Service Manager for Energy, was recognised at Regen SW Green Energy Awards on Tuesday (29 November) for her strong leadership in turning the city into a hub for sustainable energy.

Mareike has been the driving force behind the council’s investment in renewable energy technology over the past three years.

In that time she has been key in the development of a multi-million pound solar investment programme, creating a match-making service to make sustainable energy more accessible to local communities, championed energy efficiency and helped to launch the UK’s first municipal energy company for social good, Bristol Energy.

These past years have not been without their challenges but I am very proud of the work we’ve achieved so far

Mareike said: “I am delighted to receive this award. These past years have not been without their challenges but I am very proud of the work we’ve achieved so far. I’d like to thank my team and everyone who has supported us and hope that we will continue to break new ground for Bristol working towards a more sustainable future.”

Cllr Helen Holland, Bristol City Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, said: “We are all very proud to have Mareike as part of the team at the council. Her work has been a key part of developing Bristol as the green city we all want it to be, and has helped to put us on the map as somewhere with environmental concerns right at our core.

“Through her strong leadership, she has helped transform our city’s attitude towards sustainable energy. On behalf of the city council, and the city, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mareike for her dedication and the ground-breaking work she does to make Bristol a greener and more sustainable place to live.

“Congratulations on this award Marieke and thank you for all that you do. We all wish you luck as you continue to work to help us meet the environmental challenges ahead.”

Regen SW Green Energy Awards is an annual ceremony that aims to honour the innovation, dedication and creative ingenuity that has helped to put the South West at the forefront of green energy innovation in the UK.

This year the awards were held at the Bath Assembly Rooms.

The judging panel consisted of representatives from a range of public, private and charity organisations including the National Trust, WWF, the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.