Announcing the winners of the APSE Energy Awards 2026

Six UK local authorities have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at the APSE Energy Awards, in partnership with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

These awards showcased outstanding leadership, collaboration and practical delivery, recognising councils that are driving meaningful change within their operations and communities. The winners below were judged the best from a total of 66 submissions across all categories.

Taking place as part of the APSE Big Energy Summit 2026, the awards provide a national platform to showcase best practice, share learning and highlight the vital role councils play in driving forward the energy and climate agenda.

Speaking about the Awards, Phil Brennan, Head of APSE Energy, said:

“The winners of this year’s APSE Energy Awards represent the very best in energy management and local climate leadership. Standing out in a year filled with remarkable innovation and bold ambition is no small achievement, and each winner has earned their place among an exceptional group of contenders.

We were especially excited to honour trailblazing work across our newly introduced categories, Decarbonising Transport, Clean Energy - Power, and Clean Energy - Heat. The winners in these areas have set inspiring new benchmarks for what’s possible, raising the bar for future years.

As councils across the UK push towards fast-approaching net zero goals, these winners shine as powerful examples of progress in action. Their commitment, creativity, and determination are helping to accelerate climate and energy solutions, transform local communities and demonstrate what genuine leadership in sustainability looks like.”

The winners across the six categories are:

Supporting Innovation

Coventry City Council
Hackney Council
Highland Council
Powys County Council
Torfaen County Borough Council

Winner: Highland Council

Accessing and Managing Finance

Highland Council
Newcastle City Council
Suffolk County Council
Oxfordshire County Council
Westminster City Council
West of England Combined Authority

Winner: Westminster City Council

Working in Collaboration

Bath & North East Somerset Council
Birmingham City Council
Hackney Council
Highland Council
Suffolk County Council
YES Energy Solutions

Winner: Suffolk County Council

Clean Energy - Heat

South Kesteven District Council
Westmorland and Furness Council
Cinderford Town Council

Winner: Westmorland and Furness Council

Clean Energy - Power

Exeter City Council
North Kesteven District Council
Nottingham City Council
Salford City Council
Dorset Council

Winner: Dorset Council

Decarbonising Transport

Hackney Council
Highland Council
Manchester City Council
North Yorkshire Council
Warrington Borough Council
Westmorland and Furness Council

Winner: Hackney Council

Click here to view summaries of each of the finalists at this year's APSE Energy Awards.

NOTES TO EDITOR

The photographs from the ceremony will be available in due course. Members will be notified by email.
APSE (the Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not-for-profit organisation working with over 300 local governments and other public bodies across the UK. We advise on how to deliver frontline services that are locally accountable, responsive, and efficient.
The APSE Energy Awards include six submission categories.
24 organisations were shortlisted for this year's awards.
For further information please contact James Jefferson on [email protected] Tel: 0161 772 1810