Media releases

International Energy Week, hosted by the Energy Institute (EI), concluded last night with a celebration of the thought-leaders, changemakers and innovators central to the endeavour of creating a better energy future.

For their 25^th anniversary, the International Energy Awards (formerly the EI Awards) have been recast to highlight excellence within the most critical aspects of achieving the global energy transition and universal access to energy.

Introducing the awards ceremony in central London this evening, EI CEO Nick Wayth CEng FEI said:

“The energy sector cannot – and never has – stood still. Geopolitical and climate crises mean we must be the change-makers.

“The International Energy Awards recognise the best our sector has to offer - projects and individuals addressing the biggest challenges around the world, creating a better energy future.”

Across five categories, the Awards commend the best projects developing the workforce, engaging stakeholders and delivering innovative technology, as well as two individual awards – Young Professional of the Year and the President’s Award.

The evening celebrated the highest achievement at local and national levels in geographies around the world, including Pakistan, Senegal, UAE and UK, and in diverse fields of energy.

Presenting the prestigious President’s Award to Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency, EI President Juliet Davenport OBE HonFEI said:

“Dr Al-Hosany has been at the forefront of transformative work in our field, in her home nation and internationally, advocating for renewable energies and tackling the barriers to their deployment, to accelerate the energy transition.

“As a champion not only for the energy transition, but for women in the industry, Dr Nawal is an extremely deserving recipient of this prestigious award.”  

The winners of the International Energy Awards 2024 are:

EI President’s Award

The most prestigious award made in the gift of the EI by the President and in the name of the global membership to recognise outstanding leadership and achievement.

Recipient: Dr Nawal Al-Hosany – Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

For her lifetime of work advocating for renewable energies and tackling the barriers to their deployment to accelerate the energy transition. Read more.

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: Thierno Abdourahmane Talla - Instrumentation and Control Technician, bp

For contributing to a positive change in providing clean energy to vulnerable communities in Senegal and advancing sustainability in oil & gas.

Highly Commended: Heather Legan – Process Engineer, bp

Recognised for leveraging existing business practices to improve working conditions for women within the sector.

Workforce Award

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

Winner: Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund

For nurturing a sustainable workforce supporting a community driven approach to off-grid renewable energy across Pakistan.

Highly Commended: X-Academy

Recognised for their mission to accelerate the energy transition by reaching previously untapped talents to diversify the UK energy workforce.

Engagement Award

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

Winner: UK Power Networks

For their newly founded Local Net Zero team whose mission is to empower local authorities to turn their energy plans into reality through active engagement, listening and co-design across the South-East of the UK.

Highly Commended - Octopus Energy

For their Saving Sessions campaign which empowered UK customers to shift 1.86GWh load out of the busiest times, delivering a cost-effective replacement for expensive fossil fuel contingency.

Highly commended: 60 Decibels

For their work in making the energy access sector more inclusive, providing resources for entrepreneurs and listening to end-users across 19 countries.

Technology Award

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

Winner: Cambridge Vacuum Engineering

For their development of electron beam welding to aid in the manufacturing of offshore wind turbine monopile foundations.

Notes for editors

1. For more information and images of the winners, please contact Sophie Shorthose on +44 (0)20 7467 7173 or sshorthose@energyinst.org
2. The EI’s International Energy Awards (formerly the EI Awards) are in their 25^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 2024 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. Next year’s conference and awards dinner will take place 25-27 February 2025 in their new, prestigious permanent home - the QEII Centre in the heart of Westminster.
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.