Under the visionary guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy has set specific measures to enhance demand efficiency (water, power, and fuel transportation). The significant increase in the demand for energy consumption and its subsequent impact on the environment and economy in the region necessitated effective measures to improve energy efficiency and to diversify the energy mix in the region for sustainable growth.
To foster energy conservation and increase awareness, the Emirates Energy Award has been launched to recognise the best implemented practices in energy conservation that showcase innovation, cost effectiveness, and exemplary measures. Acknowledged practices and innovation shall manifest a positive impact in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to steer energy awareness on a broad level across the different facets of society.
The award, which has been organised every two years since 2012 is intended for a wide spectrum of best practices in energy and resource management to drive the following values which represent the evaluation criteria:
- Creativity & Innovation – in terms of demonstrated systems and processes influencing energy technologies and opportunities with potential for further development and transferability to others.
- Energy Efficiency – representing reduction of specific energy consumption through general housekeeping measures, best practices, retrofitting inefficient equipment and new projects in the usage of energy.
- Increase of Renewable Energy share in energy source portfolio – use of renewable energy such as solar, wind, biomass, biogas and other cleaner energy sources and gradual reduction of dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
- Economic, Social & Environmental Impact – potential to delivering significant benefits including improvements in quality of life, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable energy, in addition, to building knowledge capacity and corporate social responsibility.