The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy has launched the sixth cycle of the Emirates Energy Award (EEA) for 2026–2028, with a total prize pool of $1 million across 10 categories, recognising innovations and projects that advance sustainable and resilient energy systems.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the new cycle carries the theme ‘Innovating for Sustainable and Resilient Energy’.

The announcement was made by Saeed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Chairman of the Emirates Energy Award, during the 12th World Green Economy Summit at Dubai World Trade Centre.

The latest cycle aims to recognise practical and innovative solutions that improve energy efficiency, strengthen infrastructure resilience, promote renewable energy and support the transition towards a more sustainable energy future.

 Al Tayer, said: “I am pleased to announce the launch of the sixth cycle of Emirates Energy Award 2026–2028, organised by Dubai Supreme Council of Energy under the theme ‘Innovating for Sustainable and Resilient Energy’. This new theme aligns with the vision of the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position the United Arab Emirates as a global hub for innovation in sustainable and resilient energy sector. The theme also reflects the Award’s direction to enhance the sustainability and resilience of energy systems, while strengthening their capacity to address climate change, thereby supporting sustainable development and strengthening global energy security.”

Supporting clean energy and net-zero targets

Al Tayer said the award aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050.

He added: “Emirates Energy Award is aligned with the objectives of the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. It also reflects our belief that innovation is a fundamental pillar in building an energy sector that is more efficient, resilient and better equipped to adapt to future changes. Through the forward-looking vision and sound directives of the wise leadership, Dubai is a leading global model in the transition towards clean and sustainable energy, and in consolidating innovation and resilience in the energy sector.The sixth cycle of the Award will continue to serve as a leading platform for recognising outstanding initiatives, projects and practices that deliver practical and innovative solutions, contribute to the advancement of the energy sector, enhance its sustainability and resilience, and support efforts to build a secure and sustainable energy system capable of keeping pace with global transformations.”

The $1 million prize pool will cover initiatives across the energy sector, from efficiency improvements in public and private organisations to projects supporting distributed solar generation, circular economy practices, research and development, education and youth innovation.

Al Tayer added: “Emirates Energy Award 2026-2028 carries a total award value of USD 1 million across ten categories, reflecting the breadth of the Award’s priorities, from advancing energy efficiency across the public and private sectors and supporting energy projects of different scales, to promoting the circular economy and the wider adoption of distributed solar energy solutions. The categories also highlight the importance of education and capacity building, research and development, innovation, and empowering young talent to contribute to the energy solutions of the future.”

He encouraged organisations, institutions and individuals working in the energy sector to submit projects and demonstrate solutions that can be implemented and scaled up.

Al Tayer added further: “We take this opportunity to invite institutions, organisations and individuals involved in the energy sector to participate in the sixth cycle of Emirates Energy Award and to present their experiences, solutions and outstanding projects that embody the spirit of innovation and respond to the requirements of the next phase. Moreover, we aspire for this cycle to serve as a catalyst for the development of more efficient, capable and resilient practices, while accelerating the adoption of solutions that enhance the reliability of the energy sector, strengthen its readiness for the future, and open new horizons for sustainable development. In conclusion, we hope that the sixth cycle of the Award will contribute to advancing the transition towards a clean and sustainable energy system, while safeguarding our planet’s resources and preserving them for generations to come.”

Award recognises 151 winners across five cycles

Over its five previous cycles, the Emirates Energy Award has recognised 151 winners from government entities, private-sector companies, academic institutions and other organisations. The first four cycles honoured 118 winners, while the fifth cycle recognised 33.

The award has established itself as an international platform for showcasing achievements in renewable energy, energy efficiency, education and research and development. Its previous cycles have highlighted projects and practices that contribute to modernising energy systems and addressing sustainability challenges at regional and global levels.

Ahmed Al Muhairbi, Secretary-General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Emirates Energy Award, said the sixth cycle would focus on translating innovation into measurable results across the sector.

“The sixth cycle of the Emirates Energy Award marks a new phase in the Award’s journey, guided by a vision focused on translating innovation into tangible impact across the energy sector. It seeks to encourage solutions that enhance efficiency, improve resource management, and strengthen the ability of systems and infrastructure to operate efficiently under varying conditions. The theme of this cycle, ‘Innovating for Sustainable and Resilient Energy’, reflects the need to move beyond conventional solutions towards more advanced models that are better equipped to respond to the rapid changes shaping the global energy sector.”

Al Muhairbi said the award would highlight projects with the potential to be implemented and expanded across energy generation, management, storage and efficiency.

“We view the Award as an important platform for accelerating promising ideas and highlighting projects that deliver key value and demonstrate the potential for scalability and implementation, whether in energy generation, management, storage or efficiency. The Award also helps showcase experiences that harness technology, circular economy approaches and smart solutions to improve performance, reduce waste and enhance operational efficiency, thereby supporting the competitiveness of the energy sector and encouraging institutions and companies to adopt more advanced and future-ready solutions.”

The award also aims to encourage collaboration between innovators, businesses, researchers and policymakers, helping promising technologies progress from early-stage concepts to practical applications. Previous cycles have demonstrated how clean energy initiatives can support the development of scalable solutions while contributing to the UAE’s broader sustainability ambitions.

Focus on youth and entrepreneurship

Youth participation and entrepreneurship will remain important priorities in the sixth cycle, with the award seeking to encourage emerging talent to develop practical responses to changing energy requirements.

Al Muhairbi noted: “We expect strong participation from youth and entrepreneurs in the Award, which represents a key element in endorsing diversity and innovation through the development of practical and resilient solutions that keep pace with global transformations and support the UAE’s vision of achieving carbon neutrality. The ideas we have seen from these emerging projects in previous cycles open new opportunities for building a sustainable economy and a society that is more aware of clean energy.”

During the press conference, Taher Diab, Secretary-General of the Emirates Energy Award, presented an overview of the award’s objectives and categories, highlighting its role in promoting clean energy, energy efficiency and pioneering industry practices.

The 10 categories are Energy Efficiency – Public Sector; Energy Efficiency – Private Sector; Large Energy Project; Small Energy Project; Circular Economy; Large Solar Energy Project (Distributed Generation ≥ 500 kW); Small Solar Energy Project (Distributed Generation \< 500 kW); Education and Capacity Building; Research and Development; and Young Energy Professional.

Through the 2026–2028 cycle, the award aims to strengthen recognition of innovative energy projects, encourage wider adoption of efficient technologies and support the development of resilient systems capable of responding to climate change and evolving global energy demands. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service