West Suffolk switching technology specialist Redbourn has been shortlisted in two categories of the European Smart Energy Awards.

Redbourn, based in Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall, is in the running for the New Innovation of the Year and Smart Metering Technology of the Year awards at the event, which takes place in London on January 28.

The company has developed an innovative range of switching products for use in smart meters, a fast-expanding market which it says offers a significant growth opportunity for the business.

Last month, Redbourn was named a member of the new Future50 listing of high growth potential firms in Suffolk and Norfolk, produced by media group Archant – whose titles include the EADT – in partnership with sponsors Nwes, Birketts, Lovewell Blake, Barclays and the University of East Anglia and with grant support from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

Chris Stanton, technology director at Redbourn, said: “It’s been a very gratifying few months. Being selected by Future 50 was a great recognition for what the company had achieved in a short space of time as we’ve transformed Redbourn into a smart grid technology company.

“Now, just one month later, being shortlisted for two product awards at the European Smart Energy Awards is additional recognition, but this time for the product.”

Redbourn originally specialised in switchgear for the automotive sector and for the past 14 years has focused on making parts for electricity meters from major manufacturers such as American group Itron and Swiss-based Landis + Gyr, part of Japanese conglomerate Toshiba.

Now, however, Redbourn is aiming to take advantage of the world-wide adoption of smart meters, for which it has developed its own patented design of load switch device, enabling electricity supplies to be switched on and off remotely.