Dubai, UAE; 7 September 2014

The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy has announced the Emirates Energy Award (EEA) 2014-15, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The Award’s theme is ‘For a Sustainable Future,’ and was announced during a press conference held today at Armani Hotel in Dubai, attended by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy, and President of EEA. The event was attended by a number of senior ministry and government officials, private organisations, and a large number of experts, specialists, representatives of energy companies, and the media.

“The Emirates Energy Award supports the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to achieve the sustainable development of the UAE. Our role, at the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, is to put these directives and initiatives into practice. This biennial Award sheds light on the best practices and pioneering activities in the areas of energy efficiency, alternative energy, and sustainability. It is a global platform that gathers the winners to recognise their achievements in energy management and conservation. It also highlights efforts made in different energy-related fields, successful practices, and innovative projects in the UAE and the MENA region,” said Al Tayer in his keynote speech.

Al Tayer thanked HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai for his patronage of the Award and HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy, and Honorary President of the EEA, for his continuous support and relentless efforts to develop the energy sector and establish an integrated mechanism to regulate work in this important sector, and upgrade the EEA to the status it holds today.

“The Supreme Council of Energy has supported and sponsored the EEA, and formed committees comprising specialists in evaluating and managing international awards. Applications were reviewed and evaluated to make sure nominations met all the criteria. The Supreme Council of Energy conducted roadshows to promote the Award in the MENA region. The last session of the Award witnessed wide participation from all countries in the target regions. This underlines the success of the Award at the regional level and supports Dubai’s leading position as a global hub for renewable energy and eco-friendly technologies,” added Al Tayer.

“The EEA has become a platform that honours practical, scientific, and research best efforts and practices in the public and private sectors as well as companies, organisations, and individuals in the energy sector. It has created a stimulating environment and an integrated ecosystem that promotes a culture of excellence and sustainability in this important sector. It highlights the best innovative and efficient experiences and international practices that have succeeded in rationalising the use of energy and saving it, promoting the use and sustainability of alternative and clean resources, reducing dependence on traditional energy sources to reduce pollution, supporting organisations and individuals, and raising awareness about rationalisation, saving natural resources and environmental protection,” he added.

Al Tayer invited organisations and individuals in the energy sector to enhance their participations in the EEA to unify their efforts to further develop the energy sector and promote the use of clean and renewable energy resources to protect the environment and save precious natural resources.

Al Tayer noted that, in the near future, representatives from the Supreme Council of Energy will conduct roadshows in the MENA region to promote the EEA. They will visit Jordan, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Oman to give presentations and organise workshops to answer candidates’ enquiries and provide them with the information they need. They will explain the mechanism to apply for the Award.

Al Tayer explained that nominations for the Award, whose prizes total one million Dirhams, is open for organisations, individuals, and teams, noting that nominations must be for projects implemented in any of the MENA region.

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.

The deadline for applying for the EEA is 30 January 2015. Eligible projects must be in operation for at least one year.