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Zayed future energy prize open for nominations

Nominations open for award to honour innovators and leaders in the future of energy

The Zayed Future Energy Prize announced today that it is now open for nominations. Nominations will be accepted online at www.zayedfutureenergyprize.com. Earlier this year, the inaugural winner was recognised, Mr. Dipal Barua, Managing Director of Grameen Shakti, for his innovative approach to scaling renewable energy for two million residents of rural Bangladesh. The winner of the 2009 award will be announced at an event on January 19, 2010 at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Zayed Future Energy Prize was launched in January 2008 at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi to honour the legacy of the UAE's late President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Zayed Future Energy Prize recognises individuals, companies or organisations that have demonstrated innovation and leadership in their contributions to the global need for future energy solutions. Each year, a winner is selected for deploying real world solutions that are scalable and meaningful.

The call for nominations comes as the Zayed Future Energy Prize released the findings of a survey on the future of energy. The survey, which polled attendees of the World Future Energy Summit, suggests that solar technology and energy efficient buildings are some of the challenges that most need innovation and further research and development and that governments and small businesses have the biggest role to play in advancing the adoption of solutions.

"There is no question that innovative engineering and dedicated research and development of promising technologies will bring us closer to realizing future energy solutions. The Zayed Future Energy Prize is a distinctive honour that can bring many emerging solutions to light and help expand their adoption; the next generation of leaders must take an active role in solving our global energy challenges," explains Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize.

"Since a change in the mix of different sources of energy supply is essential and urgent, innovation in this field would be critical for bringing about a transition to a truly renewable energy future," said Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Chairman of the jury for the Zayed Future Energy Prize. "Consequently, visionary efforts and innovations need to be recognised and rewarded adequately. It is, therefore, with great honour that we open this year's nominations, and we look forward to celebrating some of the great advancements being made across the world to ensure a sustainable energy future."

Everyone is called to submit a viable candidate for the 2009 Zayed Future Energy Prize today. Once a candidate is nominated, he or she will be invited to submit their credentials starting June 9, 2009. All nominations and submissions for consideration will be open until October 16, 2009. Please visit www.zayedfutureenergyprize.com and nominate your candidate today.

The winner of the Zayed Future Energy Prize will receive $1.5 million (USD) and will be chosen by a panel of jurors who are champions in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability. The prize money will assist winners in expanding and scaling their innovations. In addition, Masdar, the supporting organisations of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, will offer winners access to a wide network of resources.

Nominations will be ranked using the following criteria:

Innovation: proof of cutting-edge concepts and solutions that solve today's energy and sustainability challenges.

Long-term vision: demonstration of ability to scale through a commercially viable or sustainable business model.

Leadership: championing the vision in order to advance clean energy and sustainable solutions.

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About Zayed Future Energy Prize
The Zayed Future Energy Prize was created to honour the legacy of the late President and Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The prize aims to inspire the next generation of global energy innovators and to reward solutions for the future. The Zayed Future Energy Prize is awarded annually to individuals, companies, organisations and/or NGOs that have made significant contributions in the global need for future energy that is clean, renewable and sustainable.

Contact Information:
Middle East - Arabic
Sunil John / Mohammed Kharroubi
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel +971 4 3344550
s.john@asdaa.com / m.kharroubi@asdaa.com

Middle East - English
Ladan Moeenziai
Tel +971 2 406 9810
Mobile: +971 50 235 9196
Ladan.moeenziai@edelman.com

Americas
Nathan Strauss
Tel +1 212 704 4573
Mobile +1 917 449 8529
nathan.strauss@edelman.com

UK/EU
Laura Misselbrook
Tel +44 20 3047 2208
Mobile +44 (0) 7813 403915
laura.misselbrook@edelman.com

© Press Release 2009