The BIG Energy Saving Challenge

Time running out for BIG Picture entries

19th December, 2011 14:10

A reminder that closing date for entries for the ‘BIG Picture’ Competition is just over a month away with all submissions having to be in before 31st January, 2012.

To help young people get ‘switched on’ to the benefits of energy saving, Power NI launched the ‘BIG Picture’ Competition and have been calling on young people to express their creative side with some great prizes on offer.

Power NI are looking for entrants to paint, draw, colour-in or even photograph their interpretation of energy saving in their area. This could be anything from wind turbines to solar panels; the Power NI judging panel are looking for the most original ideas!

The competition is divided into two age sections for primary and secondary school pupils, and is open to all individuals within the local area. The winners from the Primary School section can win a new Nintendo 3DS while the Secondary School section will be competing for a new iPod.

Competition Overview

Terms and Conditions

1. The competition is open to all children of primary and secondary school age.
2. The picture/photograph must show the entrants interpretation of how to save energy in the home or community.
3. Entrants may only submit one picture/photograph each.
4. Pictures may be drawn in pencil, felt tip, crayon or painted.
5. Photographs entered must be taken in the UK.
6. Each entry should be submitted of a sheet of plain A3 or A4 paper, either portrait or landscape.
7. Images may be digitally enhance to remove spots or scratches but not manipulated. Entrants may enhance the picture to make it brighter, clearer etc but not manipulate the content. Power NI reserve the right to exclude any image they believe may have been excessively treated so as to alter its authenticity.
8. Entrants must attach their name, address, contact phone number, date of birth, school and class to their picture. Power NI will only ever use these personal details for the purposes of administering this scheme.
9. Entries should be sent to: Kirsty Pollock, Power NI, Woodchester House, 50 Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5NW.
10. The competition closes on 31st January, 2012. Entries received after this date will not be considered.
11. The competition is open to Northern Ireland residents only.
12. Power NI cannot accept any responsibility for any problem with the postal service which may result in an entry being lost or delayed.
13. A panel of judges will select the winning entries. When making their final decision the judges will take into account creativity, artistic merit as well as the pictures relevance to the theme. The judge’s decision is final.
14. Unsuccessful entrants will not be contacted and no feedback on an entry will be provided.
15. The competition winners will be notified by telephone within a month of the closing date.
16. Prizes are non-transferable and will only be awarded to the prize winner. No cash equivalent is available as an alternative to the prizes offered.
17. The winners name and picture may be used by Power NI in promotional material.
18. Power NI reserves the right to amend rules prior to the closing date, after posting notice on the website.
19. For further questions please contact energysavingchallenge@powerni.co.uk.

NI Chest, Heart & Stroke power ahead with energy saving challenge

5th December, 2011 13:11

Wilma Stewart from Power NI with Craigavon & Banbridge Stroke Scheme Co-Coordinators Lorraine Henry and Lynne McElroy.

NI Chest Heart and Stroke, one of the six finalists in Power NI’s ‘BIG Energy Saving Challenge’ have given their group members the power to save energy in their homes by distributing energy saving starter packs.

The starter packs will help the group to understand more about the amount of energy they use in their homes and help them to reduce their running costs. Each pack consists of an electricity monitor, a standby switch-off lead and energy saving light bulbs.

Power NI’s group mentor Wilma Stewart is delighted with the progress of the group so far and said, “Power NI is delighted to be able to provide these measures which will help the group become more energy efficient.”

The local stroke group has also taken its first steps to spend some of their £7,500 prize money by getting the most out of their central heating systems this winter and having their boilers serviced. Power NI recommends that all boilers are serviced annually to ensure that they are working efficiently and safely. The boiler service consists of a 15 point check and a full safety certificate. Members of the public can avail of Power NI’s boiler servicing offer by visiting www.powerni.co.uk/boiler.

Lorraine Henry, Stroke Scheme coordinator said, “The members of the stroke groups are delighted to receive all of the energy saving equipment and thank Power NI for their support. It will make this winter a lot warmer and cost people a lot less as many people who have a stroke are often housebound, and as a result have higher heating costs, so the BIG Energy Saving Challenge has helped everyone this winter.”

Power NI’s BIG Picture Competition

11th October, 2011 13:48

Neil Coleman and Kirsty Pollock from Power NI at the launch of the BIG Picture Competition.

To help young people get ‘switched on’ to the benefits of energy saving, Power NI, the new name for NIE Energy, have launched the ‘BIG Picture’ Competition and is calling on young people to express their creative side with some great prizes on offer.

The competition is part of the BIG Energy Saving Challenge initiative, in which six finalists from across Northern Ireland, competing to win a share of the £100,000 energy saving prize fund.

Power NI are looking for entrants to take part in the ‘BIG Picture’ Competition to paint, draw, colour-in or even photograph their interpretation of energy saving in their area. This could be anything from wind turbines to solar panels; the Power NI judging panel are looking for the most original ideas!

Neil Coleman from Power NI said; “We are delighted to be launching this competition to help get kids to think about energy saving in their community. It is very important we try to educate the next generation of families and communities in Northern Ireland about the benefits of saving energy.”

The competition is divided into two age sections for primary and secondary school pupils, and is open to all individuals within the local area. The winners from the Primary School section can win a new Nintendo 3DS while the Secondary School section will be competing for a new iPod.

Competition Overview

Terms and Conditions

1. The competition is open to all children of primary and secondary school age.
2. The picture/photograph must show the entrants interpretation of how to save energy in the home or community.
3. Entrants may only submit one picture/photograph each.
4. Pictures may be drawn in pencil, felt tip, crayon or painted.
5. Photographs entered must be taken in the UK.
6. Each entry should be submitted of a sheet of plain A3 or A4 paper, either portrait or landscape.
7. Images may be digitally enhance to remove spots or scratches but not manipulated. Entrants may enhance the picture to make it brighter, clearer etc but not manipulate the content. Power NI reserve the right to exclude any image they believe may have been excessively treated so as to alter its authenticity.
8. Entrants must attach their name, address, contact phone number, date of birth, school and class to their picture. Power NI will only ever use these personal details for the purposes of administering this scheme.
9. Entries should be sent to: Kirsty Pollock, Power NI, Woodchester House, 50 Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5NW.
10. The competition closes on 31st January, 2012. Entries received after this date will not be considered.
11. The competition is open to Northern Ireland residents only.
12. Power NI cannot accept any responsibility for any problem with the postal service which may result in an entry being lost or delayed.
13. A panel of judges will select the winning entries. When making their final decision the judges will take into account creativity, artistic merit as well as the pictures relevance to the theme. The judge’s decision is final.
14. Unsuccessful entrants will not be contacted and no feedback on an entry will be provided.
15. The competition winners will be notified by telephone within a month of the closing date.
16. Prizes are non-transferable and will only be awarded to the prize winner. No cash equivalent is available as an alternative to the prizes offered.
17. The winners name and picture may be used by Power NI in promotional material.
18. Power NI reserves the right to amend rules prior to the closing date, after posting notice on the website.
19. For further questions please contact energysavingchallenge@powerni.co.uk.

NI Chest, Heart and Stroke hold successful Home Energy and Advice Day

26th September, 2011 12:00

Lorraine Henry of Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke, Dolores Kelly MLA of Upper Bann and Wilma Stewart from Power NI at the information day.

NI Chest Heart and Stroke, one of the six finalists in Power NI’s ‘BIG Energy Saving Challenge’ hosted a Home Energy and Advice Day for 70 members of their Stroke Schemes in the Craigavon, Banbridge and Lurgan area.

Members of the group were invited to meet with representatives from Power NI to discuss grants, offers and simple energy saving methods. There was also an opportunity for them to complete a ‘Home Energy Check’ which allows members of the group to understand their home’s energy efficiency performance, which will help to reduce energy consumption and save money.

Scheme coordinator, Lorraine Henry who organised the day believes that information provided was crucial in helping the members of this group ‘’The advice given will help people with stroke in the local community by providing practical information on becoming more energy efficient as well as how to have a safer warmer homes.’’

Various members of the local assembly attended the event to show their support to the BIG Energy Saving Challenge finalist. Following the event, the group will decide on how they will target their initial £7,500 funding from Power NI. They plan to purchase ‘All Season duvets’ which will help the members of their group to stay warm this winter.

Power NI representative Kirsty Pollock believes that the day was a great success ‘’It was great to see so many people from the local community coming along to the information day to support the NICHS group. We had the opportunity to provide them with practical energy saving advice and also talk to them about our free insulation offers which would help them to have warmer homes.’’

Banbridge and Craigavon branch of Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke to host Information Day

20th September, 2011 10:24

NI Chest Heart & Stroke association, one of the six finalists in Power NI’s BIG Energy Saving Challenge, will begin their year long campaign with an Information day to be held on 23 September at Lawerencetown Community Hall. There will be a number of stands at the information day including PSNI, Home Safety, Adapted Vehicles, Tarda, Warm Homes and a bike that makes smoothies!

Representatives from Power NI will be available to provide information on their various payment schemes and how customers can sign up to their ‘Customer Care Register.’ There will also be a chance to complete a Home Energy Check on the day which will allow members of the group to understand their home’s energy efficiency performance, which will help to reduce energy consumption and save money.

Scheme co-coordinators, Lynne McIlroy and Lorraine Henry, hope that the event will help people in their community by providing practical advice and information on becoming more energy efficient. The event will kick off at 10.30am and will conclude at 1.00pm. Light refreshments will be served.

BIG Energy Saving Challenge online newsletter launched!

15th September, 2011 8:50

Power NI are pleased to announce the launch of the BIG Energy Saving Challenge newsletter which will go live on Monday 3rd October.

The free e-newsletter will be sent directly to your e-mail address every month and contain the latest news and events from the six community groups from across Northern Ireland competing to win the £20,000 prize of energy saving equipment.

To sign up to the newsletter simply just enter your e-mail address into the sign up box on the right hand menu of the site and we will keep you updated with all the latest news from the challenge.

Help your favourite community group promote their campaign by encouraging your friends and family to get signed up to our BIG Energy Saving Challenge newsletter.

Northern Ireland Chest, Heart & Stroke – Banbridge & Craigavon: Background

15th June, 2011 7:59

One of the more interesting groups in the challenge is a joint group from Banbridge and Craigavon as part of the Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke group.

They are a voluntary group based in the Lawerencetown Community Centre, who are working to improve the lives of people and families within the local community by preventing and alleviating chest, heart and stroke related illnesses.

The charity is celebrating its 65th year and participation within Power NI’s BIG Energy Saving Challenge marks another key milestone in their progress; with the aim of bringing both their Banbridge and Craigavon groups together as part of a joint community project.

They will be spending their start up finance working with the homes of their members ahead of the winter months and also spending their completion money on increasing the energy efficiency of the Lawerencetown Community Centre.

You can also visit the official website of the Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke at www.nichsa.com.

Good luck to Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke – Banbridge and Craigavon and keep following their updates throughout the coming year through their online blog and also in the local press.

Power NI kicks off The BIG Energy Saving Challenge £100,000 Giveaway

14th June, 2011 15:18

Neil Coleman and Jemma Geary from Power NI are set for Power NI’s BIG Energy Saving Challenge, which will give six community groups from Northern Ireland in total over £100,000 worth of energy saving measures.

Six community groups from across Northern Ireland have cause for celebration after being selected to compete in The BIG Energy Saving Challenge, an exciting new initiative from Power NI which is giving £100,000 to communities to encourage energy saving.

The Challenge team toured the country this year in search of community groups who are switched onto energy saving and Power NI are delighted to announce the six successful participants. 

The six finalists include Annaclone Community Engagement Group, NI Chest Heart and Stroke Group from Banbridge and Craigavon, Drumarg Community Association in Armagh, Mullaghadun Community Association in Belcoo; and Transition Towns Omagh and Whitehead.  All have committed to working with Power NI over the next year to introduce energy saving measures into their premises and wider communities, educate residents and save them money.

Project Coordinator Neil Coleman said, “This competition is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and we are very excited.  Each group will receive a starter pack of energy saving measures and £7,500 of funding for their homes. For the next 12 months, we will assist and mentor the six groups through their energy saving journey. At the end of the year long challenge, they will each receive another £7,500 for communities, with the most successful energy saving group winning a fantastic total of £20,000!” 

You can follow each of the group’s progress in the BIG Energy Saving Challenge at www.powerni.co.uk.

Banbridge and Craigavon NI Chest Heart and Stroke branch shortlisted in Power NI’s BIG Energy Saving Challenge

9th June, 2011 14:41

Neil Coleman (back left) and Wilma Stewart (centre) from Power NI delivering the energy saving starter kit to NI Chest Heart and Stroke, to Craigavon & Banbridge Stroke Scheme Co-Coordinator Lorraine Henry and Stroke Co-Coordinator Lynne McElroy, included are Scheme members Hazel Kirk, Jim Gillespie, Peter McGivern, Harold Lappin and Rosemary Doherty, Lawrencetown Community Centre Manager Neil Gillan and Volunteer Mona Dynes - © Paul Byrne Photography

The Banbridge and Craigavon branch of Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke is one of just six community organisations from across Northern Ireland who have been selected to compete in The BIG Energy Saving Challenge, an exciting new initiative from Power NI which is giving £100,000 to communities to encourage energy saving.

The Challenge team toured the country earlier this year in search of community groups who are switched onto energy saving and Power NI is delighted to announce that this group, which meets in Lawrencetown Community Centre, is one of the six successful participants.

Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke has local people right at the heart of their operations. It is focused on improving the quality of life of the people in Northern Ireland by preventing and alleviating chest, heart and stroke illnesses. They want to help educate the clients in the Banbridge and Craigavon areas, to be more energy efficient to make them more comfortable in their homes and hopefully reduce their levels of anxiety and worry, especially in winter time. The group has committed to working with Power NI over the next year to introduce energy saving measures into their wider communities, educate residents and save them money.

Project Coordinator Neil Coleman said, “This competition is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and we are very excited. We recently delivered the starter pack to Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke in Lawrencetown full of energy saving devices and information as well as £7,500 of funding for their homes. For the next 12 months, we will assist and mentor the group through their energy saving journey. At the end of the year long challenge, each of the six groups will receive another £7,500 for communities, with the most successful energy saving group winning a fantastic total of £20,000!”

You can follow the group’s progress in the BIG Energy Saving Challenge on www.powerni.co.uk.