Winners of the 2014 Zayed Future Energy Prize announced

His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, reaffirmed yesterday, that under the leadership of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, sustainable development has been placed at the core of the national strategy. In the spirit of safeguarding the nation and its people, the government's international collaborations are aimed at securing peace and prosperity for all humankind. His remarks were made at the 2014 Zayed Future Energy Prize awards ceremony, held at the Emirates Palace yesterday. Marking the sixth year, the Zayed Future Energy Prize honored nine winners yesterday for their outstanding achievements and excellence in advancing renewable energy and sustainability worldwide. The winners, across five categories, are ABB, Abellon CleanEnergy, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, battery pioneer Wang Chuanfu and five high schools from around the world. His Highness General Sheikh Mohamad bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised that the Zayed Future Energy Prize underscores the UAE's commitment to address the global energy and climate challenges; adding "Through the Prize, we are not only recognising tremendous achievement in renewable energy and sustainability, but also funding the organisations, schools and individuals committed to sustainable development among communities around the world." He added: "This is exactly what the Zayed Future Energy Prize set out to do through honouring the legacy that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, God rest his soul, instilled in us." The annual US$4 million prize, established by the United Arab Emirates government, recognises companies, organisations, schools and individuals across the world that have made significant contributions to the future of renewable energy and sustainability. The Prize is awarded in five distinct categories: Large Corporation, Lifetime Achievement, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and the Global High Schools Prize. In his opening remarks, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize welcomed His Highness General Sheikh Mohamad bin Zayed al Nahyan; thanking him for his direction and support which have been "instrumental and the leading force behind its success." "More than ever, the world needs innovators, technologies and initiatives that can address our pressing energy challenges," said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, director general of the Zayed Future Energy Prize. "The Zayed Future Energy Prize recognises individuals, organisations and schools who are committed to creating a cleaner, sustainable future. "Our wise leadership established this Prize in honour of our late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul. Now in its sixth year, the Prize has created a strong group of alumni who continue to champion breakthrough ideas, technologies and programs," added Dr. Al Jaber. "The collective efforts of our winners and finalists are positively impacting communities around the world. Today, alumni of the Prize are delivering access to energy and water to millions, championing the deployment of renewable energy and are creating job and education opportunities." The Global High Schools Prize category - in its second year - was launched to recognise and encourage young people to incorporate renewable energy and sustainability into their schools. Five schools from five regions were each awarded US$100,000 for their proposed sustainability projects. The five winners are New York-based Bronx Design '&' Construction Academy from the Americas region; Gheorghe Rosca Codreanu National College in Romania representing Europe; Nkhata Bay School Authority in Malawi for Africa; Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya in India for the Asia region; and Tonga High School representing Oceania. "This year, we saw a record number of Global High School submissions. It is inspiring to see the youth of today participate in such large numbers. It is a strong indication of their demand for a more sustainable future," continued Dr Al Jaber. Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of the Republic of Iceland and Chairman of the Zayed Future Energy Prize said, "The Prize carries the challenging vision that there is indeed an alternative way, that following the vision of Sheikh Zayed, we can together make the future safe for our cities, our nations, our children." "Although the Prize is still young, it has already galvanised a broad community of innovators and entrepreneurs, farmers and industrialists, visionaries and activists, scientists and students, corporations and idealists, rich and poor, young and old." The Zayed Future Energy Prize embodies the vision of the late founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who laid the foundation for renewable energy and sustainability as part of his legacy in pioneering sustainable development in the UAE. An annual award, the Prize is managed by Masdar, on behalf of the Abu Dhabi government and seeks to award achievements and innovation in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability, as well as to educate and inspire future generations. - Emirates News Agency, WAM