A project to help businesses in Suffolk become more sustainable, and save money in the process, is among the winners in the 2014 Green Apple Awards which aim to recognise Britain’s greenest companies, councils and communities.

Support and Advice to Businesses around Renewable Energy (SABRE) involved a three-year partnership between Groundwork Suffolk and Suffolk County council on behalf of the Suffolk Climate Change Partnership, and was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

It offered small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises in Suffolk the opportunity to realise their potential to generate renewable energy by providing them with independent and impartial support and advice on investment opportunities created by the Government’s Feed-in Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive schemes.

A total of 120 businesses around the county have received advice, including Denny Bros in Bury St Edmunds, which has invested in a solar photovoltaic installation, and KindWater at Pettistree, near Woodbridge, which has introduced an alternative heating system with no mains gas.

SABRE is due to be presented with its Green Apple trophy and certificate at a ceremony to be held at the Houses of Parliament on November 10. The project could now also be selected to represent the UK in the European Business Awards for the Environment.

Rebecca Hopfensperger, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for localities and environment, said: “Supporting the green economy is one of the county council’s key priorities and it is wonderful to have national recognition for one of our projects.

“Helping businesses identify bottom line savings using green technology is just one of the ways we can help Suffolk’s economy grow.”

The Green Apple Awards are supported in the UK by organisations including the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health and the Chartered Institute for Waste Management.

They are organised by The Green Organisation, an independent, non-political environment group dedicated to promoting environment best practice around the world.

Many of the businesses supported by SABRE yesterday attended an event at Seckford Hall, near Woodbridge, to celebrate the successful completion of the project. A full report on the event and how SABRE will continue to support the growth of the “green economy” in Suffolk will feature in the BusinessEast supplement in next Tuesday’s EADT.