2nd-emirates-energy-award-attracts-112-entries-from-12-countries

The 2nd Emirates Energy Award (EEA) has attracted 112 entries from 12 countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Morocco, Kuwait, Jordan, Iran, India, Germany and Egypt. This supports the award’s vision of achieving sustainable development and boosting investment in renewable energy. 

The award was launched by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy to recognise the role of institutions and individuals in promoting sustainability. The awards will be presented on 22 October in Dubai, coinciding with World Energy Day, which was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and endorsed by representatives of 54 countries around the world as well as representatives from the United Nations, the Arab League and the African Union. The EEA is one of the initiatives of the Supreme Council of Energy, which is working in collaboration with various national and international firms to develop alternative and renewable energy sources in Dubai. “Our leadership in Dubai Government has comprehensive plans and integrated strategies for sustainable solutions in energy. 

In line with the efforts of Dubai Government and the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Supreme Council of Energy launched the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, to diversify the energy mix, so that by 2030, gas will provide 71% of Dubai’s total power output, nuclear energy 7%, clean coal 7%, and solar energy 15%. Previously, thanks to the tireless efforts of DEWA in clean and renewable energy, solar energy targets were increased to 7% of the total energy production by 2020 and 15% by 2030. 

This will be achieved by projects, such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which will produce 1,000MW in 2019, and 3,000MW of electricity when completed in 2030. It is one of the biggest strategic new Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects in the renewable energy market worldwide, said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and President of the EEA. “The EEA recognises best practices and business projects in clean and renewable energy efficiency. 

The importance of the award lies in its mission to highlight local and international achievements in all fields of energy and serve as a catalyst for scientific innovation and creative ideas,” commented Al Tayer. Renewable energy represents the cornerstone of the UAE’s strategy to build new industries and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Dubai Government is promoting the Emirate as a global hub for sustainable business and green technologies. 

This is clearly reflected in DEWA’s plans to invest AED 60 billion in Dubai’s energy sector over the next five years. 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 has Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. The Supreme Council organised a number of roadshows to promote the Award in Q4 of 2014 and Q1 of 2015 across the MENA region. 

The events highlighted the Award categories, application process, and encouraged public and private organisations to participate in the first-of-its-kind award. The entries to the EEA were in 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. 

The second award saw a 20% increase in the number of entries. The award is a testament to the trends in Arab countries in developing scientific research in clean energy efficiency, as the largest numbers of entries are under the Research and Development category, including patents and innovative projects. 

There is also a high turnout from the private sector, which reflects the efforts to reduce cost, and develop energy efficiency as well as renewable energy technologies to become economically viable. “The award is an incentive for innovation in the transmission, distribution and rationalisation of energy. The inaugural Award witnessed wide participation from several countries in the Middle East and North Africa. 

This year, the award has recorded larger and broader participation. There is no doubt that the high volume of participation this year demonstrates its success,” said HE Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Vice President of the Executive Committee of the EEA. 

The EEA was launched to promote best practices in energy management sources, according to the following values: * Creativity and Innovation. These relate to regulations and procedures affecting energy, opportunities and techniques that can be developed and used by others. * Energy efficiency and reduction of carbon footprint: The rationalisation of energy use through the adoption of best practices for recycling, the conservation of resources and reduction of carbon emissions in new projects. * Promote the use of renewable energy compared to other resources: The use of renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on non-renewable energy resources. * The economic and social impact of behavioural, environmental, and energy security: The possibility of significant positive benefits such as raising the standard of living, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable energy, as well as building knowledge and social responsibility.