Supreme Council of Energy (SCE) of the UAE has launched a one million US dollar award for the MENA region in line with the initiatives aimed at recognising the best energy conservation and innovative projects. The award aimed at encouraging the private and public sectors to reduce the carbon footprints in all sectors across the board.
Addressing a Press conference in Manama on Tuesday, Nasser Al Shaiba, Director at Supreme Energy Council and Dr Eesa M Bastaki, Chairman of the Judging panel told reporters that award was a proof of the UAE commitment to decrease the omission of the CO2 across the MENA region.
Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, The Emirates Energy Award (EEA) is a regional prize that is awarded every two years to encourage the rationalized use of energy and resources. The award aims at highlighting the best practices and pioneering work in energy efficiency, alternative energy, sustainability and protecting the environment.
The award recognizes the efforts of the public and private sectors across the region in energy efficiency, energy projects and education and research in the energy sector. A special recognition award is also available for outstanding contributors to the energy sector.
This regional award provides a global platform for all the EEA winners for their achievements in energy management and conservation and will highlight their efforts throughout the energy sector, providing the recognition that is due to them.
The EEA commences in 2012 and applications for entry are invited by all relevant and interested organizations and individuals. The award is managed by The Supreme Council of Energy, which reviews and conducts the award assessment and selection based on specific criteria.
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 sets 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.
The Emirates Energy Award aims to increase awareness amongst individuals, organizations and the community to drive sustainable development, not only in the UAE but also in the Middle East and North Africa.
The award will be organized every two years, beginning in 2013 and is intended for a wide spectrum of best practices in energy and resource management to drive the following values: 1. 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/Carbon Foot Print Reduction – representing reduction of specific energy consumption through best practices in recycling and reuse, retrofitting inefficient equipment and new projects in the usage of energy and reduction in other resources including material and carbon emission reduction (CO2); 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 and Economical, Social, Energy Security, Behavioral & Environmental Impact – potential to delivering significant benefits including improvements in quality of life, influencing behavior, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable energy, in addition, to building knowledge capacity and corporate social responsibility.
The objectives include fostering energy conservation and increase awareness, the Emirates Energy Award has been launched to recognize the best implemented practices in energy conservation that showcase innovative, cost effective and exemplary measures. Acknowledging these practices and innovation shall manifest a positive impact on the MENA region to steer energy awareness on a broad level across the different facets of society.
The Emirates Energy Award aims to increase awareness amongst individuals, organizations and society about the importance of sustainable development in the UAE and across the region.
The Emirates Energy Award will provide the winners and organizations with a prestigious accolade for their best practices in energy management and conservation. The winners will also receive positive exposure and publicity in the media. Furthermore, these best practices will be shared and disseminated to the rest of the candidates and the community.
Entries must be submitted along with the appropriately filled application form available on the Award website. The Technical Committee may reassign an entry to an alternative category when found more applicable without seeking permission from the respective applicant. The entries must be well articulated, focused and clearly presented to encompass the evaluation criteria. The Award is open to all individuals and organizations, provided that the submitted entries have been implemented in one of the MENA countries. Program / Projects must be in execution phase for a period not less than 1 year prior to date of application. Applicants may be nominated by themselves, other individuals, professional associations or establishments. Each individual entry, however, should be supported by and official letter from his/her employer. The Technical Committee may request additional supporting documents from the applicants and may also conduct visits to their respective sites during the evaluation period and incomplete or late entries will be disqualified. The Technical Committee reserves the right to withhold awards in any category where entries do not meet the evaluation criteria.