The mood was fun and festive at a recent special event held by Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) at the Exploris NIE Seal Sanctuary in Portaferry to celebrate the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) switching over to Eco Energy - NIE’s environmentally friendly electricity.

NIE’s Eco Energy is an alternative source of electricity, supplied from non-polluting and renewable energy sources which means that from now on all SEELB schools and premises will have their electricity supplied by wind turbines. There was a sea of smiling faces as school children from local SEELB Eco Schools stepped forward to receive their Eco Energy certificates from UTV’s Mike Nesbitt. Other popular characters with school children at the event proved to be Eco Eddy, NIE’s green energy superhero, Exploris mascot Niel the Seal and in true Harry Potter style, Barney the Owl from the Ulster Wildlife Trust.

Giving NIE’s Eco Energy a seal of approval, SEELB Chief Executive, Jackie Fitsimons said: “We teach our pupils about the importance of minimising damage to the environment so we are pleased that the SEELB can lead by example by opting for NIE’s Eco Energy. Given the number of premises we have, which all use electricity, Eco Energy allows us to demonstrate our commitment to the environment in a practical way.”

NIE employees involved in setting up the event at Exploris were also given a seal of approval at a recent glittering event in London when the company won a national ‘Environmental Award’ at the esteemed Utility Industry Achievement Awards. The Utility Industry ‘Oscars’ presented by Stephen Fry, highlight the achievements of the electricity, gas, telecoms and water industries, as well as the individuals and companies who have attained the highest standards and done that little bit extra to deliver more for customers, shareholders or fellow employees. (CD)