Highland Council has received national recognition at the APSE Energy Awards 2026, highlighting its work on climate and energy projects across the region.

The awards were held on 24 February, 2026 in Birmingham as part of the APSE Big Energy Summit.

The council was shortlisted in four categories and was named winner of the Supporting Innovation Award.

The category, sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, recognised a programme focused on long term energy investment and decarbonisation.

Judges highlighted the council’s place based approach, combining renewable energy generation, efficiency measures and grid innovation.

Particular recognition was given to the Clean Highland Fund, which brings together public, private and community investment to deliver long term value within the region.

The award comes as councillors have formally approved a new strategic direction for climate, energy and community resilience.

The approach marks a shift from individual projects to a coordinated programme bringing together infrastructure, energy transition and community planning.

The council says the new framework will focus on building investment pipelines, strengthening engagement with partners and embedding climate considerations across all services.

Neil Osborne said:

“Being recognised across all four categories demonstrates the strength of our overall strategic direction.

“Whether it is finance, collaboration, transport or innovation, the common thread is our move towards a coordinated, place-based approach to delivery.

“With Council now formally endorsing our strategic framework, we are moving at pace from ambition to implementation.

“This is about creating a long term, investable pipeline that brings together infrastructure, energy and community resilience in a way that works for the Highlands.

“By taking a programme led approach, we are not only accelerating progress towards net zero, but ensuring that the economic and social value of the energy transition is captured and retained locally.”

The recognition reflects a wider shift across local authorities towards long term planning and investment to deliver net zero targets.

Industry leaders at the summit pointed to the growing importance of coordinated programmes that can unlock funding and reduce delivery risk.