Zayed Future Energy Prize Calls for Innovation at Bloomberg Future of Energy Summit in New York

Abu Dhabi, UAE, April 15, 2015 – Innovation and sustainability will take centre stage in New York, April 13-15, at the Bloomberg Future of Energy Summit as the Zayed Future Energy Prize engages senior decision-makers shaping the future of energy. An annual event, the Bloomberg Future of Energy Summit assembles one thousand leading experts on energy markets, industry, finance and policy.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize aims to drive submissions during the three-day summit, organised by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), with a speech by Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Director of Sustainability at Masdar and Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize and a hosted panel discussion.

Dr Al-Hosany will highlight the “Year of Innovation” by addressing the role of innovation in transforming the energy industry and highlighting how innovative ideas will play a vital role in shaping the future.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize will also host a panel on emerging frontiers in clean energy and energy access. Along with Dr Al-Hosany, the panel features industry thought leaders Mafalda Duarte, Head, Climate Investment Funds; Charles Feinstein, Director, Energy and Extractives Global Practice, World Bank; Julia Kraetke, Private Sector Development Advisor, DFID; Lynn Tabernacki, Managing Director, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development, OPIC. Panellists will explore tools being deployed to scale up investment in clean energy and energy access in emerging and developing countries.

“The future of energy will look very different to the industry as it stands today. Creating access to secure, sustainable sources of energy requires new ways of doing things. By recognising and rewarding innovations and outstanding achievements in renewable energy and sustainability, the Zayed Future Energy Prize is helping to address this challenge,” said Dr Nawal Al-Hosany.

She continued, “At the Bloomberg Future of Energy Summit, we will be calling on organisations that are making significant contributions in the global response to the future of energy to submit for the 2016 Zayed Future Energy Prize.”

In seven years, winners and finalists of the Zayed Future Energy Prize have touched the lives of over 150 million people – generating 190,000 MWh from renewables, reducing 800 million tonnes of carbon emissions, providing safe drinking water to six million people and introducing 350,000 people to sustainable solutions and management best practices.