Media releases

International Energy Week 2025, hosted by the Energy Institute (EI), culminated today with the 26^th International Energy Awards, celebrating the pioneers and leaders from around the world who are working to create a better energy future.

The ceremony opened with the presentation of the prestigious EI President’s Award to former US Secretary of State and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Secretary John Kerry.

EI President Andy Brown OBE FEI said:

“The President’s Award is the highest accolade the Energy Institute can bestow.

“Secretary John Kerry is a figure of great conviction and tremendous effect. As Secretary of State during the Obama administration and the first ever Special Presidential Envoy for Climate under President Biden, he has been instrumental at every key moment in the recent history of global climate diplomacy.

“From brokering the historic Paris Climate Accord in 2015 through to the agreement at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels, Secretary Kerry has been pivotal, building trust and common ground across national boundaries - not least with China to bring about action from the planet’s two largest emitters. His work to help developing nations face the challenges of climate change by mobilising climate finance has also been exemplary.”

Secretary Kerry said:

“I am honored to receive the Energy Institute President’s Award, but view it as shared also by the innovators, entrepreneurs, activists, engineers, and workers that collectively are driving forward the clean energy transition and creating a safer, more prosperous planet. I am more convinced than ever before that embracing modern, abundant clean energy solutions is not just the right thing to do – it’s also good business and sound economics. Those that embrace this opportunity will find themselves in the driver’s seat of the rest of the 21st century.”

The International Energy Awards shine a spotlight on the organisations and teams from around the world making a difference. Alongside Secretary Kerry receiving the President’s Award, four other awards were presented - the Young Professional of the Year, and project awards in Workforce, Engagement and Technology categories:

Young Professional of the Year

Recognising the contribution, innovation and passion of the next generation of energy leaders, open to individuals with less than five years in the industry.

• Winner: Harshil Sumaria- Strategy & Performance Engineer, UK Power Networks for the Strategic Forecasting System (SFS). The SFS is a cloud-based scenario planning tool which can be used to model the network impact of future energy pathways, one of the most advanced tools in the industry for network planning which will enable UK Power Networks to save customers at least £410 m over the period 2023 - 2028.

International Energy Workforce Award

Recognising projects bringing new talent into the industry, as well as the provision of continuing professional development schemes for current workforces.

• Winner: Energy Talent Company – for Talent Corp, bridging the skills gap in Africa’s renewable energy sector by training professionals, primarily in solar energy, through immersive blended training that adopt technologies such as augmented reality. This approach enhances job readiness and career progression, resulting in over 300 placements and substantial income increases post-training.

International Energy Engagement Award

Recognising advocacy and communication projects, aimed at effective engagement with customers, regulators, employees, shareholders and other stakeholders.

• Winner: SolarPower Europe for European Solar Day European Solar Day, celebrated on 21 June, the longest and brightest day of the year, unites diverse stakeholders to promote solar energy. Gaining 64 partners across Europe and reaching 1 million people on social media, the campaign has been endorsed by the European Commission and with content in 10+ languages in 2025, it aims to make solar education accessible across Europe.

International Energy Technology Award

Recognising technological development projects with the power to become a gamechanger or disrupter in the industry.

Winner: The Kensa Group for Shoebox NX Ground Source Heat Pump, bringing low-carbon heating for every UK home is one step closer. It provides the key to rolling out networked heat pumps at scale - delivering the most energy-efficient heating and cooling for the lowest cost and least grid impact, helping to deliver a net-zero future.

Honorary Fellowships

Honorary Fellowship is the EI’s highest form of membership and is given by the Institute’s Council to a small number of individuals of longstanding distinction. Three new Honorary Fellows were announced.

• Tan Sri Tengku Taufik HonFEI, President and Group Chief Executive Officer – PETRONAS for leadership in sustainability energy and the future workforce.
• Katie Jackson HonFEI, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto, Copper; Chair, POWERful Women for her commitment and contribution to diversity, inclusion and equity in the energy sector.
• Professor Emily Shuckburgh OBE HonFEI, Director of Cambridge Zero - University of Cambridge for her contribution as one of the UK’s foremost climate science experts and communicators.

Notes for editors

1. For more information and images of the winners, please contact Ruaraidh Swainson on +44 (0)7702 583 918 or rswainson@energyinst.org
2. The EI’s International Energy Awards (formerly the EI Awards) are in their 26^th year and are the pre-eminent awards recognising global achievement in energy. They are presented in three project categories - Workforce, Engagement and Technology – and two individual awards – Young Professional of the Year and the President’s Award.
3. The awards mark the culmination of the 2025 International Energy Week, which brings together leaders and influences from across the world of energy including senior industry figures, politicians, the investor community, NGOs and academics. International Energy Week 2026 will take place 10-12 February 2026.
4. The Energy Institute is the chartered professional membership body for people who work across the world of energy. Our purpose is to create a better energy future for our members and society by accelerating a just global energy transition to net zero. We do this by attracting, developing and equipping the diverse future energy workforce; informing energy decision-making through convening expertise and advice; and enabling industry and consumers to make energy lower carbon, safer and more efficient.