Record number of entries for Zayed Future Energy Prize

Winners to be announced in January

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, said the prize aims to deliver a positive impact to the livelihood of people globally. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court – Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI // A record 2,296 nominations from 112 countries were entered for The Zayed Future Energy Prize.

The number of entries increased 37 per cent compared to last year. The number of participating countries also rose from 103, representing the broadest geographic reach achieved by the Prize to date. The top-five countries by number of entries are India, Mexico, USA, Brazil and China.

Nominations for the Large Corporation and Lifetime Achievement categories yielded 1,113 entries, while the remaining 1,183 submissions were for Small & Medium Enterprise, Non-Profit Organisation and Global High Schools categories.

This year saw a doubling in Global High Schools category submissions from the UAE, which climbed to be among the top five participating countries.“It is heartening to see the continuing growth of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, as well as its ability to reach people and organisations of all levels globally,” said Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former president of the Republic of Iceland and Chair of the Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury.

“Its role in giving due recognition and reward to innovators and advocates of renewable energy and sustainability serves as a catalyst for driving the sector forward. Year on year, we see the impact of the Zayed Future Energy Prize on the lives of people around the world, be it in remote regions or cosmopolitan cities.”

After undergoing an extensive evaluation process, a jury will select winners in each category. All winners will be announced at an awards ceremony during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January 2018.

“The impact of the Zayed Future Energy Prize is a testament of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s inspired vision. It serves to, not only create a mindset of sustainability amongst the youth, but to also mold future generations committed to innovating sustainable solutions for our world," said Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize.

"Ultimately, the prize aims to deliver a positive impact to the livelihood of people globally. To date, we are proud to say that it has created a positive change for the lives of 289 million people across the world.”