Pachauri to head energy prize

Dr Rajendra Kumar Pachauri will head Abu Dhabi's annual Dh8.1 million Zayed Future Energy Prize, an initiative launched by Masdar to encourage energy efficient projects across the globe. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, headed by Dr Pachauri was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

The prize was announced by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at the first World Future Energy Summit in January this year in the capital. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, officially announced Dr Pachauri will head the international prize committee as its chairman, yesterday. Dr Pachauri will appoint the members of the prize jury and look after its other affairs.

Al Jaber and Dr Pachauri, also launched the official bilingual (Arabic and English) website of the competition, where participants can submit their projects.

The prize, according to Dr Al Jaber, is open to individuals, organisations, companies, government establishments and NGOs.

"It is open to future energy solution ideas and projects from anyone – from a layman to a government. And there will be no limit to receiving submissions. It is an initiative to promote and encourage future energy solutions across the board. We encourage ideas and projects from anyone and anywhere in the world," he said.

The winner will receive Dh5.5m and two runners-up will each receive a cash prize of Dh1.3m.