Abu Dhabi: Over 160 nominations from around 40 countries have been filed for the inaugural Zayed Future Energy Prize to be presented in a global energy summit here next year.

Named in honour of UAE's founding father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and instituted by the Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar, the award recognizes individuals, organizations, companies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who are advancing innovation in the field of clean energy and sustainable development.

According to Masdar, the international awards programme was designed to recognize innovation and leadership in the global search for future energy solutions.

A jury of international experts chaired by India's R.K. Pachauri, chairman of the Nobel prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, will choose one winner and two finalists for the prize, the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The winner and finalists of the first Zayed Future Energy Prize will be announced at the World Future Energy Summit to be held here Jan 19-21, 2009.

While the winner will receive $1.5 million, each of the two finalists will receive $350,000 to take their ideas and ambitions forward.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize was launched in January this year at the inaugural World Future Energy Summit by General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Nominations and submissions for the award will close Aug 31, 2008, and Sep 30, 2008, respectively.

 

Source : IANS