Dubai, UAE, 14 August 2015

It is clear that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are determined to achieve the highest levels of energy security and efficiency. While we witness major changes in the strategic scene of global energy markets in terms of increase in demand, energy efficiency has emerged as one of the most successful solutions to address the regional and global challenges of energy use, especially during the present time.

Economic growth in all areas, steady increase in population, and the development projects in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have significantly contributed to higher energy demand to meet the growing needs for electricity and water.

Looking at the region’s energy scene, Dubai is leading regional efforts to establish energy efficiency standards in the MENA region, through various regional quality initiatives. The most prominent of these initiatives is the Emirates Energy Award (EEA), launched by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. EEA supports the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of conventional energy sources, and increase dependence on clean and renewable energy sources to achieve a sustainable development that depends on a green economy.

EEA plays a key role in establishing Dubai’s position as a global hub for energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability, and environment protection. It is inspired by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who said, “We recognise that preserving our energy resources will be one of the greatest challenges in our drive towards sustainable development. This, however, will not materialize unless the different facets of our society adopt energy conservation principles in their core values. The future generations will be the chief beneficiary of our achievements and the best judge of what we accomplish in this field.”

This year, the EEA Executive Committee reviewed entries submitted to EEA 2014-2015 organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Held under the theme ‘For a Sustainable Future,’ EEA honours the efforts and practices of organisations and individuals in the energy sector and creates a stimulating environment with an integrated system that helps promote a culture of excellence and sustainability in this vital sector. The EEA 2014-2015 received 112 entries from 12 countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Morocco, Kuwait, Jordan, Iran, India, Germany and Egypt. The entries to the EEA are for the following categories: Large Energy Project (9 entries), Small Energy Project (18), Energy Efficiency – Public Sector (14), Energy Efficiency – Private Sector (20), Education & Capacity Building (16), Research & Development (21) and the Young Professional Energy Award (14), in addition to the Special Recognition Award which will be announced during the Awards Ceremony to be held by The Supreme Council of Energy.

EEA is one of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy’s most important initiatives to achieve the sustainable development of Dubai and spread awareness among society members about the optimal use of energy in different areas. The award highlights the best international experiences and practices that have succeeded to save energy and rationalise use. It honours excellent local and international achievements in all energy fields. It encourages scientific innovation and creative ideas and provides a stimulating environment that adopts best international practices in energy management, rationalisation, and efficiency to promote sustainability of natural resources. EEA is a global platform for organisations and individuals as it focuses on supporting international efforts to find innovative and sustainable solutions for environmental pollution, climate change, and global warming.

“The Emirates Energy Award highlights the role of organisations and individuals, increases awareness about and encourages rational use, saving energy sources, and protecting the environment. The award is an effective factor in the economic and social strategies of countries. This gives energy in all its forms, a great importance as the main driver of sustainable development. Everyone must study clean and renewable energy and their different resources, and discuss their different angles with different viewpoints. This will help reach the best methods and solutions to provide clean energy form different available sources, while taking environmental aspects into consideration. The EEA also spreads awareness in the region about the need to enhance energy efficiency, increase dependence on clean and renewable energy sources, and decrease dependence in conventional energy sources,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and President of the EEA.

“EEA was launched to promote best practices in energy management sources. It recognises the efforts of organisations and individuals in managing and rationalising energy. It also encourage education and scientific research in energy. The award is an incentive for innovation in transmission, distribution and rationalising of energy. Applying the award criteria at an organisation benefits the organisation itself in the first place,” said Ahmed Buti Al Muhairabi, Secretary-General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the EEA.

The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy has promoted the award in different ways. It conducted several roadshows in different countries to meet the demand and answer queries it received about EEA, especially from the MENA region. The Supreme Council held a series of workshops in these countries to answer questions of nominated individuals and organisations, and provide them with detailed information about the award.

As part of the Dubai Supreme Council’s efforts to encourage innovation and scientific research in energy efficiency, it will organise an official ceremony next October to honour winning projects with awards that reach AED one million. There are seven categories in the EEA, Energy Efficiency in the Public Sector, Energy Efficiency in the Private Sector, Large Energy Project, Small Energy Project, Education and Capacity Building, Young Professional Energy Award, and the Special Recognition Award. Each of the first six awards have Gold, Silver and Bronze categories.

EEA winners will be honoured in October 2015 in conjunction with the World Energy Day, which was announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It was endorsed by 54 countries as well as representatives of the United Nations, Arab League and the African Union, through the Dubai Declaration, on 22 October 2012. The day was approved as World Energy Day to remind the world about the importance of energy, its role in our lives, and its positive impact in all aspects of social and economic development as well as the welfare of people.