Dubai Quality Group launches 'Emirates Energy Award'

The Award, which has the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was launched by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group.

The launch ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, government officials and business leaders in Dubai on 28 January 2007 at the World Trade Club.

In a written message to the media released at the launch, HH Sheikh Ahmed said: "The DQG is launching the Emirates Energy Award to recognize the best implemented practices in energy conservation and management that showcase innovative, cost-effective and replicable energy efficiency measures."

"The goals of the Emirates Energy Award align with the vision of the leaders of this country to optimally manage our resources," HH Sheikh Ahmed observed.

Mr. Marwan Al Sawaleh, Chairman of DQG, said: "The award will seek to recognize the best implemented practices in energy conservation and management that showcase innovative, cost-effective and replicable energy efficiency measures. This will be another pioneering step from DGQ which has excelled in introducing and launching several major initiatives."

"The significant increase in the demand for energy consumption and its subsequent impact on the environment and economy in the region necessitate the presence of continuous improved energy efficiency, conservation and management measures. This mandates a strong and effective campaign - such as the Emirates Energy Award - to encourage and foster energy conservation and management practices," pointed out Mr. Al Sawaleh.

Ms. Samia Al Yousif, DQG's Manger said: "We are optimistic that such acknowledged practices should manifest a sound impact on the Gulf Arab region to stir energy awareness on a broad level and across the different facets of society. This, we are sure, will ultimately contribute to not just the UAE and the entire region but the whole world."

The Emirates Energy Award, which will be presented annually by HH Sheikh Mohammed, is open to all organizations and individuals, taking into consideration that the submitted entries are being implemented in any one of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries.

The deadline for receiving entries this year is 5th July 2007 and submitted projects must have been completed after December 2002, but should be in operation for a minimum period of two years and still functioning.

The Award will have six categories: Public Corporation Energy Award, Private Corporation Energy Award, Energy Engineer Award, Major Energy Project Award, Minor Energy Project Award, and Education & Research Award.

While the Public and Private Corporation Energy Awards will be given for outstanding accomplishments by either a public or a private corporation respectively in organizing, developing and implementing effective corporate energy management programs in the region, the Energy Engineer Award will be given in recognition of an individual who contributes by his/her outstanding accomplishments in promoting the principles and practices of energy engineering.

The Major and Minor Energy Project Awards will be given for an energy conservation and management project either above or below the total cost AED5 million respectively, while the Education and Research Award will be given in recognition of an implemented educational or research project that has successfully raised awareness of energy conservation and management issues.

The Emirates Energy Award will grant the winners and their organizations a prestigious recognition for best practices in energy management and conservation. The best practices will be also shared and disseminated to the rest of the candidates. While recipients of the awards will be eligible to apply for another award category in the following year, they may be eligible to apply in the same category only after a period of three years.

The Award Committee consists of renowned experts from the industry. They are: Dr. Abdulla Al Amiri, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering (Energy Systems), UAE University; Mr. Abdul Qader Obaid Ali, Group Internal Audit & Quality - Director DP World; Dr. Khalil Ibrahim Al Hosani, Vice President, Society of Engineers - UAE; Mr. Montaser Zamzam, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Abu Dhabi Company for Oil Operations (ADCO); Mr. Mahmoud Abu Shawish Al Ma'arefa, Manager - Juma Al Majid Group; Dr. Mohammed Dulaimi, Head of the Institute of Engineering, The British University in Dubai, Mr. Marwan Al Sawaleh, DQG's Chairman; and Mr. Ali Bin Tuwaiah, Director of Renewable energy Division, TECOM Investments

Over the years the DQG has organized several major events in which internationally-renowned experts have been invited to visit Dubai to conduct workshops and seminars, mainly focused on the business community. This has helped the businesses in Dubai to track the latest developments and introduce the world's best practices, thereby helping to raise the standards in the emirate and in the UAE to globally-best levels.

DQG, which has the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, has been organizing and launching several key initiatives for the betterment of the society in general and for raising awareness about the best shared practices in the industry and business sectors specifically.