Energy Options wins second national award

Whakatane's Energy Options has scooped the national Sustainable Business Network award for trailblazers in the not-for-profit sector.
The organisation won the same category and the supreme Sustainable Business of the Year title at the Bay of Plenty regional awards last month for its work in various communities offering advice on, and assistance with, energy efficiency, insulation, efficient heating devices and solar hot water systems.
General manager Nik Gregg said Energy Options chose not to put its name "out there" for a long time because the team preferred to keep their heads down and do what needed to be done.
"When we decided to enter Energy Options into the awards arena it was more about seeing how we bench-marked against other organisations in similar fields."
Energy Options is a not-for-profit organisation, but judges commented on its strong financial model and were impressed by its mission to help clients live in healthier homes. Starting out in 1999 as a business unit of Opotiki Trade Training, the firm has insulated more than 15,000 homes and generated close to $28 million in energy efficiency benefits, $1.4 million in environmental benefits and $37 million in health and sustainability benefits. Other Bay of Plenty entrants were also successful.
Tauranga's Power Smart Solar won the People's Choice Award and Katikati company Nappy Days received a judges' commendation in the Emerging Small and Medium Business category.
Sustainable Business Network regional manager Jo Wills said: "The calibre of the finalists was extremely high and diversity of business and industry ensured the competition was tough, so seeing three Bay of Plenty members walk away with such praise from a national judging panel is truly inspiring."