AN energy centre project which will cut the carbon emissions of Boston's Pilgrim Hospital has been nominated for a top national award.

The initiative has been selected as one of three finalists in the Partners in Corporate Social Responsibility category of the Premises and Facilities Management Awards 2010.

These awards recognise best practice in facilities management and the partnerships between service suppliers and their clients, as well as the skills and enterprise of people in this sector.

The centre was installed under a public and private partnership arrangement between United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (ULHT) and energy company Cofely.

The firm will continue to operate and maintain the plant for 15 years, with guaranteed year-on-year energy savings for the trust.

The centre has already been highly commended by the Combined Heat and Power Awards and ULHT also won the sustainable hospital category as part of the Health Business Awards 2009. Judges will visit the site over the next few months for a presentation on the work done, and the winner of the award will be announced at the PFM awards dinner in London on November 3.

ULHT environmental services manager Kevin Thoy told the Target the Trust is delighted the project is being recognised in this way.

He said: "The new energy centre is an amazing facility that will help us to reduce our carbon footprint significantly, as well as freeing up funds that can be diverted to improving facilities for patients.

"It has been very much a partnership project and I'm pleased that this joint working is being recognised."

Cofely chief operating officer Richard Derry, said: "It is very pleasing to see the acknowledgement of ULHT's proactive approach to reducing capital costs and providing a long-term commitment to carbon management.

"Our collaborative partnership has produced a pioneering project within the NHS using mixed heat sources to create a 51 per cent overall reduction in carbon emissions."

Opened in June the centre incorporates a range of low carbon technologies including combined heat and power and a biomass boiler using renewable, locally sourced wood fuel.

It comprises a 2.9MW biomass (wood chip) boiler, a £526,000W gas engine and a new heavy fuel oil packaged boiler.

It also features a refurbished heavy fuel oil shell boiler, an updated control system an d new water treatment plant.