South West company, Kensa Engineering wins the world’s leading green energy award.
Richard Freeborn, Chairman of Kensa Engineering being presented with the Ashden Award by Sir David King and Anna Ford.
Kensa, a thriving manufacturer of ground source heat pumps based in Cornwall won first prize of £30,000 and the prestigious Ashden Award for Sustainable Energy. As UK winners of the Energy Business category, Kensa gained recognition of their ground-breaking work in addressing fuel poverty, cutting carbon emissions and making renewable energy more accessible.
HRH The Prince of Wales, patron of the Ashden Awards personally congratulated UK winner, Richard Freeborn, Chairman of Kensa Engineering at a private ceremony at Clarence House and was particularly interested in the technology. The company designs and manufactures easy-to-install ground source heat pumps that a non-specialist can install, widening access to this green technology.
The Award was presented to Kensa Engineering at the Ashden Awards ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London alongside three other UK winners. Handing out the awards, Sir David King, former chief scientific advisor to the government, said: “I’ve had my spirits raised by what I’ve seen here at the Ashden Awards. Climate change is the biggest challenge we have ever had to face. We need individual actions like these.”
A Clarence House spokesperson said: "The Prince of Wales was deeply encouraged to learn of the solutions demonstrated by the Ashden Awards that can reduce our dependency on a carbon economy. His Royal Highness was particularly impressed by the local sustainable energy initiatives recognised and promoted by the Awards, which not only meet the needs of communities, but tackle climate change and further sustainable development."
Kensa Engineering Ltd is a privately-owned business located on the site of the former Mt Wellington tin mine near Truro, Cornwall, manufacturing a wide range of ground source heat pumps. The
company can offer products designed for all residential and commercial properties and works alongside a growing network of installation partners. The installation kit includes a pre-coiled ‘slinky’ pipe to collect heat from the ground and a manifold board providing all the plumbing connections needed. Kensa provides detailed advice and telephone support to customers, to ensure that the
installation goes smoothly.
The Ashden Award judges said the Award was given to Kensa for ‘manufacturing an effective, highquality sustainable technology for a wider, non-specialist market and creating local jobs in a deprived
area’.
Kensa’s Richard Freeborn, on receiving the Award, said: “Business is all about people, not just technology. The relationship between the viability and profitability of a company are often tenuous – but it is the value of the people that determines the value of the business. Kensa has nurtured and developed some of the finest people in the renewable energy business. They carry the future with them – and I now give my thanks for all their help.”
The Ashden Awards is a UK-based charity that works to increase the use of local sustainable energy worldwide. They find, reward, and publicise the work of leading sustainable energy programmes
working in the UK and across the developing world.
Second prize business winner, receiving £15,000, is employee-owned Dulas Ltd, based in mid Wales, that has over 25 years’ experience in designing and installing renewable energy systems.
One of its most successful products is a life-saving solar powered fridge to store vaccines in tropical countries.
To view the Promotional Video relating to this award from the Ashden Awards Website, Click Here.
