Dubai, UAE, 16 June 2015

The Executive Committee of the Emirates Energy Award (EEA) has commenced review of the entries submitted to EEA 2014-2015, the second of one of the region’s most prestigious energy awards 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 aims to highlight the efforts and practices of institutions and individuals working in the energy sector and create a stimulating environment with an integrated system that helps promote a culture of excellence and sustainability in this vital sector. The EEA 2014-2015 has 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.

With participation 20% larger than the first awards, the EEA underlines the growing interest of Arab nations and institutions in boosting scientific research in energy efficiency and clean energy. This is illustrated by the fact that the highest number of entries are in Research & Development, which included patented and innovative projects. The private sector also bolstered its presence, indicating the increasing economic viability of energy-efficiency and renewable-energy technologies.

The Supreme Council of Energy, towards the end of 2014 and during the first quarter of 2015, held a number of press conferences and organised several familiarisation visits across the MENA region to provide more insights into the EEA, its goals, categories and application process, and to encourage both public and private institutions to participate in the EEA, the first-of-its-kind in the region.

“The EEA plays a leading role in recognising the efforts of countries, institutions and individuals to create a more efficient future that relies on clean and renewable energy resources. We are delighted with the success achieved by EEA in the number of participants and the geographical scope. The EEA team worked diligently on encouraging institutions and individuals to sign up for the awards and become an integral part in the quest for developing the energy sector, particularly renewable energy,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and President of the EEA.

“The EEA seeks to raise awareness across the region about the necessity of boosting energy efficiency and the reliability of clean and renewable energy resources while curtailing dependence on traditional energy sources. The EEA is a unique incentive for driving innovation in energy transmission, distribution and rationalisation. If the EEA’s standards are applied to any institution, it would be the first to enjoy the benefits,” 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 will organise the EEA’s Awards Ceremony for the winners in October, in conjunction with marking World Energy Day on 22 October.