Point and Sandwick Trust’s Energy Support Unit (ESU) has been named Energy Champion of the Year at the Energy Awards 2026, recognising the team’s outstanding work tackling fuel poverty and supporting vulnerable households on the Isle of Lewis.
The award celebrates individuals and teams making a significant impact through dedication, innovation and collaboration within the UK energy sector. The ESU team was recognised for delivering practical, compassionate and community-led support in one of the country’s most energy-vulnerable regions. Funded through income generated by PST’s community-owned wind farm, the Energy Support Unit provides direct financial assistance, energy advice and advocacy to households experiencing fuel hardship. Since January 2023, the ESU has distributed more than £476,750 in support, helping hundreds of local households struggling with rising energy costs.
The judges heard how the team has gone beyond traditional energy advice models by delivering rapid, cash-first interventions that make an immediate difference to household wellbeing, helping reduce debt, ease anxiety and allow families to heat their homes without fear. In addition to frontline support, the ESU has also contributed to wider national conversations around fuel poverty, rural inequality and the social value of community-owned renewables. Their work has informed research, policy discussions and public awareness campaigns, including the short film The Long Shadow, which highlighted the human impact of fuel poverty in island communities.
More recently, the team launched the innovative Warmth Without Worry project following a successful £192,674 award from the Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Redress Scheme. The initiative provides tailored support to households affected by fuel rationing, combining financial assistance with practical measures and advice designed to improve long-term wellbeing and energy resilience. To date, the scheme has reached more than 100 distinct households and issued 86 grants.
Stewart Wilson of Muirneag Consulting, who delivers PST ESU services alongside Iain Dan Morrison and Kenny Maclean, said receiving the award was a huge honour and reflected the reality facing many households across the islands. “Every day we speak to people who are doing their best but are still struggling with the cost of keeping their homes warm. In the Western Isles, fuel poverty isn’t just about energy bills, it affects health, confidence, wellbeing and quality of life. This award is recognition of the importance of community-led support and of the commitment Point and Sandwick Trust has made to ensuring income from community-owned renewable energy delivers a direct benefit to local people. We’re proud that the Energy Support Unit is helping make a real difference to households across the area.”
Donald John MacSween, General Manager of Point and Sandwick Trust, added, “We are very proud of Stewart, Iain Dan and Kenny and the work they continue to deliver through the Energy Support Unit. This award is national recognition of a model that puts people first and demonstrates what community energy can achieve beyond generating electricity. The ESU is helping improve lives, reduce hardship and ensure that the benefits of renewable energy are felt directly within the community.”
Fuel poverty remains one of the most significant issues facing the Western Isles, where high energy costs, older housing stock and harsh weather conditions place additional pressure on households. The ESU was recognised for helping bridge gaps in support, particularly for rural households, older residents and working families who often struggle to access national schemes.
Point and Sandwick Trust has invested millions of pounds into community priorities across the islands through income generated by its community-owned wind farm, with tackling fuel poverty remaining one of its key priorities.