The fifth edition of the Emirates Energy Award attracts 240 entries from 24 countries

The Emirates Energy Award, organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has wrapped up the submission phase for its fifth cycle, held under the theme ‘Empowering Carbon Neutrality’. The award attracted 240 submissions from 24 countries, reaffirming its status as a prominent global platform for promoting the energy transition and sustainability.

The award continues to strengthen its position as a key regional and international initiative focused on advancing sustainability and energy transformation. The growing confidence it commands underscores its critical role in fostering innovation and recognising outstanding practices in the clean energy sector.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Chairman of the Emirates Energy Award, said: “The strong and distinguished participation in the fifth cycle of the award reaffirms its growing status as a leading global platform in sustainable energy. This aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote innovation and technology to serve humanity. The international momentum we have witnessed reflects the trust the award enjoys both regionally and globally, as well as its vital role in encouraging innovation and the adoption of best practices in clean energy. The qualitative and geographic diversity of submissions is in line with the vision of our wise leadership to advance the transition towards a sustainable green economy and supports the UAE’s strategic objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.”

HE Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Emirates Energy Award, said: “This year, we witnessed remarkable international engagement that reinforces the award’s mission as a global platform for knowledge and expertise exchange in sustainable energy. The diversity in nationalities, sectors and project types reflects how the Emirates Energy Award brings together effective practices from around the world, contributing to the advancement of sustainable transformation through projects with tangible technical, economic and environmental value.”

The 240 submissions were distributed across the award’s 10 categories, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the participating projects and initiatives. The Research and Development category received the highest number of entries, with 60 submissions from research centres and specialised institutions, highlighting the growing interest in developing innovative technological solutions in the energy sector. This was followed by the Education and Capacity Building category, which attracted 29 submissions focused on training programmes and awareness initiatives, emphasising the increasing importance of knowledge and community engagement in advancing sustainable transformation.

The Energy Efficiency – Public Sector category saw strong participation from government entities, with 25 entries. Meanwhile, the Young Energy Professional category received 24 submissions, reflecting a high level of awareness among youths and their expanding role in this vital field.

The Energy Efficiency – Private Sector category attracted 17 submissions from companies and commercial institutions showcasing successful models for reducing energy consumption. Nineteen entities submitted entries under the Large Energy Project category, which includes projects with an investment value exceeding USD 3 million, compared to 13 entries in the Small Energy Project category for initiatives below that threshold.

The Large Solar Energy Project (Distributed Generation ≥ 500 kW) category received 16 submissions, while the Small Solar Energy Project (Distributed Generation < 500 kW) category saw eight entries. The Circular Economy category also drew a notable number of submissions, highlighting innovative solutions in reuse, resource efficiency and sustainable design, underscoring the growing global relevance of circular practices.

The award attracted strong international and local participation, with the United Arab Emirates leading with 63 submissions, demonstrating the country’s deep-rooted commitment to climate action and sustainability. Turkey followed with 37 submissions, then Egypt with 31, Jordan with 27, Saudi Arabia with 19 and Morocco with 17.

This cycle saw significant geographic diversity, with entries spanning countries across the Middle East and North Africa, including Kuwait, Palestine, Algeria, Qatar, Oman and Yemen, as well as strong European representation from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Sweden and Estonia. Asian countries also featured prominently, with participation from South Korea, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, in addition to the United States from North America. This wide geographic reach highlights the award’s growing stature as a global platform for recognising leading initiatives in energy and sustainability worldwide.

Following the close of the submission phase, the award’s technical committee – comprising a distinguished panel of subject-matter experts – has begun evaluating the entries. Submissions will be assessed based on rigorous criteria, including innovation, energy efficiency and economic, social and environmental impact, as well as each project’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Winners will be announced at an official ceremony later this year to honour outstanding projects and pioneering initiatives in the field.

The Emirates Energy Award continues to play a pivotal role in accelerating the clean energy transition and strengthening the UAE’s position as a global leader in sustainable solutions, by showcasing innovative models from around the world that support the creation of a low-emission, more sustainable future for generations to come.