Winners of the Zayed Future Energy Prize took home a combined $4 million on Monday during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Individuals, companies and schools were rewarded for promoting renewable energy and its importance to the world. Prizes were awarded for Lifetime Achievement, Large Corporation, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise, Non-profit Organization and Global High Schools.
"Through the Zayed Future Energy Prize, we are recognising the pioneers that dare to push the boundaries of what is achievable through clean energy innovation. These pioneers are the individuals and organisations at the forefront of the transition to a more secure and sustainable world," Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed said, according to a press release .
Although the awards only began in 2008, Prince Mohammed highlighted the legacy behind the initiative saying, "This is a journey that we began under the farsighted vision of our founding father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose legacy defines the UAE’s past and will continue to define its future."
Former Prime Minister of Norway, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland received the Lifetime Achievement award, becoming the first woman to receive the prize. Brundtland is widely accepted as being the author of the concept of sustainable development.
"I am greatly honoured and moved to be receiving this prestigious award from the Zayed Future Energy Prize. The legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is an inspiration to all who aspire to find solutions to the world’s common challenges around the sustainable, equitable and secure access to energy and water," Brundtland said upon receiving the prize .
BYD, a Chinese company and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of electric cars, received the Large Corporation prize, although no monetary award was included. Offgrid Electric from Tanzania was awarded the prize in the SME category, also receiving $1.5 million. The company brings solar energy to communities in Tanzania and Rawanda.
Also receiving $1.5, Kopernik, an Indonesian project that plans to provide clean energy to 1 million people, received the NPO award. Five Global High Schools from different regions of the world each received $100,000 for their efforts to promote sustainability. Institución Educative Gabriel Plazas in Colombia, Korea Science Academy of Kaist in South Korea, Student Research Center in Germany, SOS HG Sheikh Secondary School in Somalia and Cashmere High School in New Zealand were the recipients of the award.
Chair of the Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of the Republic of Iceland, expressed enthusiasm about the continued development of the future energy initiative saying, "This has been another outstanding year for the Zayed Future Energy Prize. The record number of submissions is a testament to the leadership shown by the UAE in this field. This is made all the more impressive because of the sheer length and breadth of those that apply to be part of this global community."