The Community Impact Award recognizes a city, town or municipality in Newfoundland and Labrador that has excelled in energy efficiency as demonstrated through activities such as campaigns, promotions, project or building development and energy management. Examples of initiatives include, but are not limited to: completing energy-efficient building upgrades; assisting residents in adopting energy-efficient technology; and, educating residents on energy-efficient tips through a social media campaign.
Recognizing Our Province’s Energy Efficiency Stars
Town halls are installing LED lights. Department stores are upgrading their heating and cooling systems. Individuals all over the province are taking brilliant steps to use energy wisely. Here at takeCHARGE, we believe that deserves to be celebrated! The Luminary Awards recognize companies, organizations, communities, and individuals all across Newfoundland and Labrador who are taking brilliant steps to use energy wisely – and inspiring others to do the same.
KNOW SOMEONE WHO SHOULD WIN A LUMINARY AWARD?
If you know a company, town, retailer or individual whose energy-efficient efforts deserve some Luminary love, let us know. Maybe it’s you! Apply for a Luminary Award or nominate someone else.
Complete the online submission form or download the form to submit via email. You can nominate more than one candidate using separate forms!
Check out the eligibility criteria and guidelines.
takeCHARGE reserves the right to publish all nominations or forego an award for a particular category.
Awards for Energy Efficiency
The Luminary Awards celebrates individuals, organizations, and communities who are shining examples in these categories:
Community Impact Award
Sustained Excellence Award
Honors outstanding dedication to sustained practices and achievements in energy efficiency. Recognizing an individual, business, organization or not-for-profit that has demonstrated consistent commitment to reducing energy consumption, increasing energy efficiency, and fostering a culture of sustainability.
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award recognizes an individual’s or establishment’s leadership and commitment to energy efficiency in Newfoundland and Labrador through energy efficient activities, projects or campaign. Examples of initiatives include, but are not limited to: completing energy-efficient building upgrades; assisting employees or customers in adopting energy-efficient technology; being an energy-efficiency ambassador in your community, school or workplace; promoting or installing energy-efficient technology; and, educating others on energy-efficiency.
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award recognizes a business, organization or not-for-profit whose innovative energy efficiency project or service resulted in energy savings. Nominations are not required for this award; the winner will be selected among program partners.
Partnership Award
The Partnership Award recognizes the outstanding delivery of energy efficiency solutions, services or education by an organization, individual or not-for-profit. Nominations are not required for this award; the winner will be selected among program partners.
Electric Vehicle Awareness Award
The Electric Vehicle Awareness Award recognizes an individual, business, organization or not-for-profit, who has demonstrated leadership in the area of electric vehicle awareness in a city, town, municipality or community organization in Newfoundland and Labrador. Leadership is demonstrated through EV awareness activities, campaigns or projects. Examples of initiatives include, but are not limited to: hosting EV webinars; planning EV events; and, installing EV chargers.
BIG Award
The BIG Award recognizes a participant of the takeCHARGE Business Efficiency Program that, through energy efficient upgrades, has seen the most significant increase in their energy savings. Nominations are not required for this award; the winner will be selected among program participants.
Award Winners 2025
Community Impact
Community Impact
Innovation Award
Innovation Award
Partnership Award
Partnership Award
Leadership Award
Leadership Award
The Electric Vehicle Awareness Award
The Electric Vehicle Awareness Award
Sustained Excellence Award
Sustained Excellence Award
Big Award
AWARD CATEGORY:
Community Impact
Town of Paradise
The Town of Paradise is actively advancing its sustainability goals through its Green Goal initiative, which focuses on reducing single-use items, lowering carbon emissions, and creating a greener community for residents to live and businesses to operate for years to come. As part of this commitment, the Town has installed public electric vehicle (EV) chargers at the Paradise Double Ice Complex and introduced electric vehicles, including a battery-powered Zamboni for ice maintenance. Environmentally friendly upgrades such as solar lighting in Paradise Park have been implemented. In addition, the Town recently installed heat pumps in three of their facilities and received a rebate over $2,200 by participating in the takeCHARGE Business Efficiency Program. These initiatives reflect the town’s dedication to energy efficiency and sustainability. Congratulations to the Town of Paradise for leading by example and inspiring meaningful change across the community.
AWARD CATEGORY:
Community Impact
Town of Ramea (HYDRO)
Working with dedicated town staff, is the key to success when looking to engage community members in energy efficient programming. Ann Margaret Cutler, Town Clerk/Manager for the Town of Ramea, has recently worked with Hydro’s team helping them with logistics and community engagement their Isolated Community Energy Efficiency Program. She provided exceptional assistance that helped the program run smoothly and achieve great success. This program provides outreach, education and energy efficient products and opportunities to homes and businesses in the 41 remote diesel-system communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. To date, it has successfully helped these communities save 13.5 GWh of electricity.
AWARD CATEGORY:
Innovation Award
econext
econext is a dynamic organization advancing clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador through innovation, workforce development, and net-zero initiatives. Representing over 200 members, it fosters environmentally sustainable economic development through start up support, business development programs, training, and policy leadership. One standout initiative is their econext Ideathon – an innovation challenge that gives students hands-on experience to develop practical, sustainability-focused solutions to real-world challenges. Through expert-led workshops, mentorship, and competitive pitches, the event builds industry connections, career pathways, and awareness of sector needs. Since its launch in 2023, six Ideathons have engaged approximately 300 students across Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic, generating impactful solutions, and strengthening ties between education and the province’s green economy. Today, we celebrate econext for their innovative contributions to energy efficiency across the province.
AWARD CATEGORY:
Innovation Award
Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay (HYDRO)
The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay has proudly introduced a fully electric, modern minibus designed with comfort, accessibility, and sustainability in mind.
The accessible bus supports up to 18 passengers and is fully electric with smooth and silent operation, cost efficient, comfortable and sustainable. The Town has installed a network of strategically located electric charging stations to keep buses charged and service running reliably. The town hopes to expand the fleet and implement routing software to improve efficiency based on user feedback and charging capabilities. Congratulations to The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay for taking a bold step toward a cleaner, greener future with the introduction of an electric bus to your community!
AWARD CATEGORY:
Partnership Award
Hickey’s TIMBER MART
Hickey’s Timber Mart has been a steadfast partner with takeCHARGE in advancing energy efficiency across Newfoundland and Labrador. Through their commitment to delivering high-quality solutions and customer education, they’ve empowered homeowners and builders alike to make sustainable choices. As a dedicated program partner, they’ve actively supported the promotion of insulation products, instant rebate offerings, and other energy-saving initiatives—making sustainable choices more accessible to their customers. Their enthusiastic participation in annual retailer day events further highlights their commitment to collaboration and education in the energy efficiency space.
AWARD CATEGORY:
Partnership Award
Econoler (HYDRO)
Partnerships are key when identifying client needs, designing, implementing and evaluating energy efficiency and demand-side management programs. Econoler is an international consulting firm with 40 years of experience in these areas and have been a long-standing partner with Hydro and their Isolated Community Energy Efficiency Program. They continuously work with us to develop new, innovative, and practical solutions to energy related challenges that isolated diesel communities face; and find tangible ways to implement these into programs. Congratulations on winning the Partnership Award — a well-deserved recognition of your outstanding partnership and dedication over the years!
AWARD CATEGORY:
Leadership Award
Laurie Furlong
Laurie Furlong is a committed educator with 20 years of experience teaching in Newfoundland and Labrador schools and is known for her strong advocacy for sustainability. At home, she reduces her energy use through LED lighting, improved insulation, draft-proofing, ENERGY STAR® appliances, and simple tasks like washing laundry in cold water, while actively engaging in the takeCHARGE Home Energy Report program. Laurie leads by example—both as a homeowner and mother—demonstrating how individual actions can make a significant impact. She brings this commitment into the classroom, inspiring students to care for the environment and recognize the power of personal responsibility. By planting the seeds in the minds of our future, Laurie empowers the next generation to build a greener, more energy efficient and sustainable province.
AWARD CATEGORY:
Leadership Award
Stuart Michel (HYDRO)
Stu currently resides in Rigolet, Labrador, where he holds the position of Community Energy Lead with the Nunatsiavut Government. He is working with the energy strategy team to create programs that will help Nunatsiavut connect programs focused on reducing energy use, with the people and businesses in the communities.
Stu has been invaluable to Hydro’s Isolated Community Energy Efficiency Program. He is a key ally in supporting our work in Nunatsiavut communities and helps us deliver projects and programs that not only save energy, but that also suit the needs of the Nunatsiavut communities in which they operate. Stu shows the qualities of a true leader, congratulations and thank you for all the support.
AWARD CATEGORY:
The Electric Vehicle Awareness Award
Ali Husnain, City St. John’s
Ali Husnain has been instrumental in advancing electric vehicle (EV) adoption for the City of St. John’s municipal operations. Ali’s leadership has contributed to the installation of 16 Level 2 chargers at city sites, with 18 more 19.2 kWh chargers underway and capacity for 22 additional units. Ali also developed a fleet electrification master plan for over 500 vehicles, and the successful implementation of 7 battery-electric vehicles and 10 chargers for City services. Since 2022, the public charging network has delivered 92,600 kWh, enabling over 600,000 km of EV travel. In addition to his EV initiatives, Ali contributes to energy efficiency building retrofits and broader sustainability goals, helping reshape municipal operations for a low-carbon future.
AWARD CATEGORY:
The Electric Vehicle Awareness Award
Vale Base Metals Long Harbour Operations (HYDRO)
Electric vehicle adoption is a core component of Vale Base Metals Long Harbour Operations sustainability strategy. Their approach combines infrastructure with intent: providing free and accessible charging across their site – enabling workforce adoption and transitioning their fleet toward electrification. They currently have 5 EV Trucks and 4 EV SUVs and operate 19 level 2 charging stations on site, 3 chargers at the St. John’s office, and 2 fast chargers that are being installed this fall. Since installing their first EV chargers, employee EV adoption has steadily increased, with over 30 individuals now commuting in electric vehicles. This award celebrates demonstrated leadership in the area of electric vehicle awareness, and it is abundantly clear that Vale Base Metals Long Harbour Operations is clearly leading the way.
AWARD CATEGORY:
Sustained Excellence Award
Capital Auto Group
Since 2021, Capital Auto Group has been assessing and completing energy efficiency projects across its operations. The company has completed LED lighting upgrades at several of its locations, including the Capital Auto Centre, Capital Subaru, and BMW – The Ultimate Driving Company. These upgrades are resulting in annual energy savings of over 250,000 kilowatt-hours. By participating in the takeCHARGE Business Efficiency Program, Capital Auto Group received more than $25,000 in rebates to support these improvements. LED lighting upgrades provide the benefits of better lighting quality and longer lifespan. Very importantly, they also allow Capital Auto Group and its recently launched Howard Properties to showcase their vehicles in the best possible light. We congratulate Capital Auto Group on their consistent commitment to reducing energy consumption, increasing energy efficiency, and fostering a culture of sustainability.
AWARD CATEGORY:
Sustained Excellence Award
Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company Limited (HYDRO)
The Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company Limited are community owned and operated, and a leader in Newfoundland & Labrador’s fishery, operating five processing plants and employing hundreds of fish harvesters and plant workers. Over the last 10 years, they have participated in 12 separate energy efficiency projects that included lighting upgrades, variable frequency drives, and heat pumps. Upon completion of the current capital upgrades, the energy savings total will have reached over 837 MWh. This significant savings deserves to be recognized, and we commend your company for the continued commitment to energy efficiency.
AWARD CATEGORY:
Big Award
Beothic Fish Processors Limited
In 2024, Beothic Fish Processors Limited launched a transformative energy efficiency project at their Valleyfield fish plant, marking a bold step toward efficient and more sustainable operations. The initiative included a full LED lighting upgrade throughout the facility and the installation of a modern heat pump system in their office space. This project is expected to deliver an impressive 372,000 kilowatt-hours in annual energy savings—a powerful reduction that will have lasting benefits for both the environment and the company’s bottom line. By participating in the takeCHARGE Business Efficiency Program, Beothic fish Processors are set to receive an estimated $37,000 in project incentives, further reinforcing the value of their investment. Beyond the numbers, the upgraded lighting enhances visibility and safety throughout the plant, while the new heat pump system brings improved comfort to the office space. These upgrades will continue to generate savings and operational benefits for many years to come. Beothic Fish Processors Limited has truly raised the bar with this initiative, showing how energy-efficient choices can lead to substantial, long-term gains.






