Abu Dhabi

The Zayed Future Energy Prize Selection Committee has identified the finalists of the prize in preparation for the jury meeting set to take place this month.

Candidates represent a wide spectrum of technologies ranging from energy access, solar and wind power to carbon reduction.

They will be presented to the jury on October 17 for the final deliberations.

A record number of 579 entries from 88 countries were received this year, marking a 36 per cent increase over last year.

The two-day selection committee meeting took place after the review committee met last month.

Dr. Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, Director-General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, said: “By focusing on leadership, long term vision, impact and innovation, the criterion of the Prize truly encapsulates the legacy of our late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the ongoing commitment of our wise and visionary leadership.”

Razan Al Mubarak, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi and Chairperson of the Selection Committee, said: “The Prize drives innovation and recognition in a field that is pertinent to the conservation of our future.”

All categories — Large Corporations, SME, NGO, Lifetime Achievement and the newly launched Global High Schools prize category — were assessed based on the criteria of innovation, impact, leadership and long-term vision.

On October 17, the jury will meet for the final phase of the process — the selection of the winners who will be announced at the 2013 awards ceremony, taking place during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January.

The 2013 finalists are: BYD Company Limited, Sharp Corporation and Siemens in the Large Corporation category; Ceres, Fraunhofer ISE and Rocky Mountain Institute in the NGO category; Clean Power Finance, d.light design, EcoNation, Grameen Shakti and Mainstream Renewable Power in the SME category; and in the Global High Schools category, Bronx Design & Construction Academy and Secundaria Tecnica 120 from the Americas, Okehampton College and Queen Elizabeth II High School from Europe, Kirya Secondary School and Waterford Kamhlaba from Africa and Fujimigaoka Educational Institution, Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School from Asia.