Categories and how to apply
Categories and winners
Showcase your achievements on a global stage by entering the International Energy Week Awards, which recognise the people and organisations making a meaningful impact across the energy sector.
Workforce Award
Award criteria
The energy industry needs people with the talent, the drive and the passion to help us tackle climate change and meet the growing energy needs of the world’s populations.
This award recognises work undertaken to bring new talent into the industry, as well as the provision of continuing professional development schemes for current workforces. It will look for in-house schemes that nurture talent and foster inclusion, the use of innovative learning solutions and collaborations between industry, industry bodies, academia and other partners.
Apply nowJudging panel
- Initiatives that promote equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Promotion of the future skills needed for the energy transition and/or awareness of the role of behaviour change in the workplace to help manage energy use.
- Innovative use of partners and techniques.
- Deliverability of the initiative.
- Clear metrics and results.
You must be able to validate the success of your project with proven results.
Judges
Awards timeline
3 August 20264 December 2026February 202724 March 20272026 winner: DTEK for Ukraine's Hidden Army
Shortlisters:
- Offshore Wind Learning for Offshore Wind Learning
- YOWIF Green Enterprise for Sustainable Energy Access Development Program
- FairHeat for FairHeat Graduate Scheme
- Ashdam Solar Company Limited for Empowering the Energy Future: Ashdam Solar's Inclusive Workforce Development and Women Empowerment Initiative
Technology Award
Award criteria
Technology in all its forms is an essential and exciting aspect of the energy industry, a frontier where new and better solutions are constantly being devised. The role of digital technologies and data in particular are taking the industry into the ‘4th revolution’.
This award will recognise the year’s best innovative technological development or implementation of an existing technology with the power to become a gamechanger or disrupter in the industry, either on the demand or supply side, and in particular contributing to the transition to net zero and/or extending universal access to energy.
Apply nowJudging panel
- Identification of the technological innovation which represents a major advance or development.
- Commercially viable technology that is ready for market and for wider adoption and application.
- Inventive new technology or innovative implementation of existing technology.
- Clear demonstration of the benefits of the innovation over existing methods.
You must be able to validate the success of your project with proven results.
Judges
Awards timeline
3 August 20264 December 2026February 202724 March 20272026 winner: Granular Energy for Traceable Clean Energy and Hourly Matching
Shortlisters:
- Loughborough University for Lead-acid Battery-Electrolyser
- Fluence for Fluence Smartstack
- AVA Energy for AVA Technopark: Sector Coupling Through Advanced Decentralized and Energy-Efficient Solutions
- DTEK for Ukraine's DTEK Launches Ukraine's First and Largest Battery Storage Facility, Bolstering Energy Security
Safety by Design Award
Award criteria
Safety is not just a priority – it's a foundation for sustainable and responsible energy development. Safety by design integrates health and safety principles directly into the blueprint of energy technologies, transforming them from reactive safeguards into proactive resilience. Supported by SafetyOn and G+, this award recognises pioneering efforts that embed safety into the very core of energy production systems.
The Safety by Design Award celebrates innovations in design, execution, or organisational frameworks that lead to significant reductions in health and safety (H&S) incidents across the energy sector. Whether it's advanced engineering, streamlined workflows, or a cultural shift toward prevention, this award shines a spotlight on leadership in safety innovation.
Apply nowJudging panel
- Clear evidence of safety integrated in the physical or digital design of systems, machinery or infrastructure.
- Strategic restructuring, culture-building or procedural refinements that embed safety into decision-making and daily operations.
- Documented improvements in H&S performance, such as incident rate reductions or enhanced safety compliance.
- Approaches that are replicable, resilient and contribute to a long-term safety culture across the sector.
You must be able to validate the success of your project with proven results.
Judges
Awards timeline
3 August 20264 December 2026February 202724 March 20272026 winner: Ørsted for Cargo Drone Lifting
Shortlisters:
- Saudi Aramco for HSE Data Intelligent Hub
- Ørsted for Female Immersion Suits and Harness
- Ørsted for Remote Controlled Uncrewed Surface Vessel
- Vattenfall Europe Windkraft GmbH for Bolt Monitoring - Ultrasound Bolt Inspection
Young Professional Award
Award criteria
The Energy Institute's Young Professionals Network is delighted to welcome entries for the Energy Institute Young Energy Professional Award. Young professionals are the next generation of energy leaders and we want to celebrate your contribution to the industry and reward your innovation, drive to deliver and passion of the younger generation of energy talent. Applications from those with less than five years in the industry are welcome.
Apply nowJudging panel
- Career experience statement: In 250–500 words, describe a project from your career, either in your professional career or through working with the local community, where you have either led the activity (as a project manager) or made a significant contribution towards its delivery (as a key team member).
- Industry outlook statement: In 250 – 500 words, please share your views on the outlook for the energy industry by answering the following question: 'What is the single biggest challenge facing the energy industry in the next 20 years?'. The judging panel will be looking for you to demonstrate your views and feelings about an industry issue, including how you would like to see them addressed and how your future work might contribute towards finding a solution for this challenge.
- CV
- Endorsement: Please provide a written endorsement of up to 200 words from your employer, client or supervisor. This should include their signature and contact details for verification purposes.
You must be able to validate the success of your project with proven results.
Judges
Hear from previous YEP Award winners
Awards timeline
3 August 20264 December 2026February 202724 March 2027Hear from previous YEP Award winners
2026 winner: Alaa Alahmed from Saudi Aramco
Shortlisters:
- Charlotte Kerr from EDF
- Abubakar Aji from Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)
- Jane Onu from Colorado School of Mines
- Beth Hebditch from Carbon Capture & Storage Association
President’s Award
2026 President’s Award recipient andInternational Energy Week Dinner speaker: Lei Zhang, Founder and CEO of Envision
Lei Zhang, Founder and CEO of Envision, has been awarded the 2026 Energy Institute President’s Award. This is our highest honour, recognising extraordinary leadership and impact in global energy.
A globally recognised entrepreneur and advocate for sustainable innovation. He co-founded Envision Group in 2007 and is the first entrepreneur and business leader to receive this prestigious award. Under his leadership, Envision has led some of the world’s most innovative renewable energy systems, spanning smart wind turbines, advanced battery systems, and net zero industrial parks with the use of AI technology. The company’s mission ‘to solve the challenges for a sustainable future’ has helped accelerate decarbonisation in economies across Asia, Europe, Middle East and the Americas.
Lei is an active participant in international climate and energy forums and a key contributor to global discussions on clean technology and sustainable infrastructure investment and co-founded the LSE Global School of Sustainability. He was recently included in Time 100's most influential climate leaders of 2025.
On 12 February 2026, Lei received the President’s Award and addressed guests as a keynote speaker at the International Energy Week Awards Dinner.
I am deeply honoured to receive the President’s Award from the Energy Institute. Humanity now stands at the threshold of a new energy paradigm – one that will lead us toward a renewable civilisation.
At Envision, we believe sustainability is the new prosperity, and we are committed to building an intelligent, renewable energy system that enables every community to access clean, affordable and abundant energy.
Lei Zhang
Founder and CEO, Envision
Award criteria
This most prestigious award is made in the gift of the Energy Institute by its President and in the name of the global membership to recognise outstanding leadership and achievement in the energy industry. It is awarded in support of the Energy Institute's ambition of creating a better energy future by accelerating a just, secure and low-carbon energy transition.
The award is made on an international basis to an individual whose work has brought benefit to society. Recipients will have contributed to addressing solutions relevant to global energy challenges, in particular combatting climate change and opening up access to energy.
Each year, the global membership of the Energy Institute and non-members alike are invited to make nominations for recipients of the award. Nominations can also come from within the Energy Institute's committee networks. The Energy Institute Nominations Committee is then tasked with shortlisting candidates that can demonstrate their impact against as many of the criteria below as possible:
- Demonstrable achievement to either: tackle climate change/reduce the carbon footprint of the industry to help reach net zero by or before 2050, either through the reduction of emissions or through storage of carbon, or to provide access to cleaner supplies of energy.
- Acknowledged by peers as a thought leader in their field. The work of the recipient should be well known to their publics.
- Commitment to raising industry standards, improving knowledge and skills and/or championing the contribution the energy industry makes to society.
- Commitment to making the energy sector more diverse, inclusive and reflective of the society it serves.
- Championing the industry among the younger generation.
The Energy Institute's Council determines the recipient of the award, which is usually made on an annual basis. The President hosts a lecture for the recipient to share their work and celebrate receiving the award.
Recognising achievement, sustainability and innovation
Sponsorship opportunities
Recognised as one of the energy sector's most prestigious awards programmes, the International Energy Awards celebrate the individuals and organisations shaping the future of energy. The Awards Dinner convenes senior leaders from across industry, government and investment communities, creating a high-profile platform for recognition, networking and influence.
As a sponsor, you will position your brand alongside the sector's most respected achievements, gain visibility among key decision-makers, and demonstrate your commitment to driving progress across the global energy system.
For more information, please contact [email protected]