From Okehampton to Abu Dhabi: Energy-saving college in line for $100,000 prize

Okehampton College could scoop up to $100,000 in prize money after the school was announced as one of the finalists in the prestigious 2013 Zayed Future Energy prize.

The school beat off competition from secondary schools across Europe to be named finalist in the competition's new Global High School Prize's European category. It is up against just one other school, Queen Elizabeth II High School, which is on the Isle of Man. 

The judges include former and past presidents, and the Hollywood actor and green activist, Leonardo di Caprio 

The winner will be selected October 17th and announced at a special awards ceremony on January 15th, 2013 during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The amount of money allocated to the winner depends on the cost of the entrant's project proposal, but up to $100,000 is available.

Okehampton College has 1,350 pupils, drawn from one of the largest UK catchment areas. In recent years, pupils have raised over £100,000 for many charitable causes (local, national and international) which is an important strand of Green Flag. The school proactively engages with all aspects from fair trade and global perspectives to energy efficiency and recycling.

Having focused on energy efficiency (technical matters and better usage habits), the school is now ready to install wind power and biomass heating.

Okehampton already has extensive monitoring, a building management system, 3000 low energy lights, insulation upgrades, better heating controls, and thermostatic radiator valves, and is now developing better habits which are being transferred across the community and beyond. This has led to a 50% reduction in consumption of gas and electricity while either of the projects above will have another massive impact.

www.okehamptoncollege.devon.sch.uk