(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) The Supreme Council of Energy on Tuesday launched the Emirates Energy Award 2012-13, which will reward best practices and leading initiatives in the areas of energy efficiency, alternative energy, sustainability and environmental protection.
Details of the award and its new logo were presented at a Press conference, attended by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, vice-chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy and president of the Emirates Energy Award, and Nejib Zaafarani, secretary-general and CEO of the Council, along with chairmen, vice-chairmen and members of the three committees of the award - the executive committee, the technical committee and the marketing and events committee.
Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy, is the honorary president of the Emirates Energy Award. The award is launched under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
"This award reflects the UAE 2021 vision and the green economy for sustainable development initiative launched by Shaikh Mohammed, which are aimed at boosting the roles of various sectors and individuals in energy and resource conservation efforts. Energy is the driving force behind sustainable development, which makes the study of cleaner energy an important step in environmental conservation. It is the responsibility of decision makers to implement best solutions in clean energy from a variety of sources, taking environmental factors into consideration," Al Tayer said.
The award has the budget of 1 million and will be held every two years, which will cover Mena region, Arab world and will be eventually globalised. The SCE will promote this awards through social media like facebook and twitter, he added. "The award not only focuses on the UAE as a world platform for sustainable development, but also stresses the importance of sustainability in the Middle East and North Africa. We are confident that energy officials will appreciate the significance of this award and making its goal of achieving sustainable development a global priority as well," Al Tayer said.
Applications are now open for any individuals, teams and organisations in the Middle East and Africa. The application process will come to a close in January 2013 and award ceremony in May 2013 will recognise the winners which will be attended by high level government, industry and community officials and delegates.
The award recognises achievements in six categories: Gold and Silver awards for energy conservation in the private and public sectors; Gold and Silver awards for large-scale energy projects; Gold and Silver awards for small-energy projects and Gold and Silver awards for education and research, in addition to a special award for excellence as well as an award for young innovators in energy.
By Sandhya D'Mello
