Since 2007 the European Commission has annually chosen the best practices of sustainable energy solutions. It is an integral part of the EU campaign for sustainable energy. 272 projects from across Europe are taking part in the prestigious European Awards Competition 2010.
The EU Commission has nominated 26 projects that are comprised in 5 categories.
ProjectZero Sonderborg/Denmark is nominated within the category "Sustainable Energy Communities”.
Middelfart Municipality was nominated in the same category with its project on energy retrofit of public buildings. The other nominees are Germany, Holland and Estonia. Kalundborg Industrial Symbiosis and Avedore District Heating are nominated in other categories. There are four Danish projects among the 26 projects selected to participate in the competition. No Danish projects have previously won the European Commission's "Oscar" for sustainable energy solutions, but maybe it happens this year.
You never know, but I am not hiding the fact that ProjectZero has the potential to win. We have a very ambitious goal that the Sonderborg area should be ZEROcarbon by 2029, and carbon emissions must be reduced by 25% by 2015. The goal must be achieved in close cooperation with citizens, shops, businesses and public institutions. In addition to that, we have also an excellent cooperation between private and public partners in ProjectZero - a partnership between Danfoss, DONG Energy, SYD ENERGI, the Nordea Bank Foundation and Sonderborg Municipality. I am incredibly proud that we have passed the first milestone and are among the 26 nominees, but now I hope we go all the way, says CEO of ProjectZero, Peter Rathje.
Also Peter Hansen, head of the municipality´s Engineering and Environmental committee, is happy for the nomination of Sonderborg's leadership in climate agenda.
ProjectZero is a huge initiative of the whole Sonderborg area. The area's businesses, educational institutions and Sonderborg Municipality show 100% commitment to the goal of becoming Europe's first ZEROcarbon growth area. I also strongly believe in our approach, dealing with intelligent energy management and smart climate solutions that do not lower good standards of living.
The nomination for the prestigious European award is a big pat on the back for all participants in Sonderborg that support ProjectZero, "says Peter Hansen.
The Winner will be announced at an Awards Ceremony in Brussels on 23 March, where among others the EU Energy Commissioner, Günther H. Oettinger, is a participant.
Read more about ProjectZero at
www.projectzero.dk and the EU award at
www.sustenergy.org
For more information, contact CEO Peter Rathje tel. +45 4040 8636 and Peter Hansen tel. +45 2790 0226.