AN Amman Valley enterprise has taken home a national award for its environmental work.

Awel Aman Tawe (AAT), a social enterprise based in Cwmllynfell, is this year’s Environmental Social Enterprise Award winner at the Social Business Wales Awards, having won at last week's ceremony in Llandudno.

It was selected for its projects in energy, education and the arts.

AAT was one of six businesses to take home a coveted sector award, presented by Wynne Evans at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Founded 20 years ago, Awel Aman Tawe is a community energy charity that aims to tackle climate change and contribute to a sustainable future in the Upper Swansea and Amman Valley.

The project engages people in climate change through tackling fuel poverty and further community energy and low carbon projects.

This award, sponsored by BIC Innovation, was given for the enterprise’s impressive impact on the community, and its progressive development.

After raising £230,000 for a project, it installed 179kW of solar power on seven community buildings and schools, all of which have been operating successfully.

Winners from the Social Business Wales Awards will go on to compete on a national level at the Social Enterprise UK Awards.

The Social Business Wales Awards recognise the excellence of social enterprises, co-operatives and employee-owned businesses in Wales. There are currently 2,022 social businesses across the country that contribute an estimated £3.18bn to Wales’ economy.

The Social Business Wales Awards are run as part of Social Business Wales, a project funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Welsh Government as part of the Business Wales service. It is delivered by the Wales Co-operative Centre.

Derek Walker, Wales Co-operative Centre CEO, said “The quality of nominees this year was outstanding. It is so important that we recognise the hard work of these social businesses and the impact they have on our society.

“On behalf of all of us at the Wales Co-operative Centre, we want to congratulate all of the worthy winners and wish them luck as they head to the Social Enterprise UK Awards.”