Urban&Civic has won an Octopus Energy Zero Bills Award for its project at Penny Green in Wintringham, St Neots in recognition of the company’s commitment to deliver sustainable, future-focused communities.
26 May 2026
Penny Green is a thoughtfully designed new neighbourhood featuring a mix of energy-efficient 2, 3 and 4-bedroom houses. The privately rented family homes enable a greener, more sustainable way of life, combining excellent insulation with intelligent energy-saving technology to provide year-round comfort and eliminate energy bills.
Urban&Civic has partnered with Octopus Energy, a global clean energy and technology business, to offer 47 homes packed with cutting-edge green tech – including a heat pump, battery and solar panels – through Octopus Energy’s world-first ‘Zero Bills’ initiative.
By optimising technology to generate and store clean energy, Zero Bills homes are making it possible to abandon both dirty fossil fuels and energy bills, allowing customers to enjoy zero home energy bills for at least 5-10 years, guaranteed*.
The judges praised Urban&Civic’s strategic approach to embedding Zero Bills principles across its portfolio, highlighting the company’s commitment to helping unlock lower-cost, energy-efficient living for residents.
Nigel Banks, Zero Bills Director at Octopus Energy, said: “Amidst ongoing global energy volatility, households are looking for real, long-term protection from unpredictable bills – and our Zero Bills tariff provides exactly that security.
“Partnering with Urban&Civic proves what’s possible when smart tech is included in housing from day one. We created these awards to celebrate exactly this kind of visionary company.”
Penny Green won Urban&Civic the Large Developer of the Year: Scaling the Future award, which celebrates organisations bringing Zero Bills homes to life at national scale through innovation, sustainability and customer experience.
Nigel Wakefield, Development Director for Urban&Civic, said: “Urban&Civic is committed to sustainability, placemaking and long-term stewardship in creating thriving new communities, and we are delighted to have won the Large Developer of the Year award for our work on Penny Green at Wintringham.
“This is just one example of the initiatives we are delivering as master developer, as we continue to focus on innovative solutions that support lower carbon living while enhancing value and quality of life for residents.”
The awards celebrate the companies accredited to the new Zero Bills Standard and leading the way in low-carbon housebuilding, retrofitting and clean energy innovation.
* Please note that EV charging is not included. EV charging is billed separately at the Intelligent Octopus Go rate. Limits, Exclusions & T&Cs apply, more at: https://octopus.energy/policies/smart-tariffs-terms-and-condition/#zerobills10
