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In the first global sustainable development gathering of leaders, organizations and clean energy companies in 2016, the Zayed Future Energy Prize award ceremony – held in January 18 – as part of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, comes to reinforce the historic agreements reached at the COP21 held in Paris last December. Considered the “Oscar” of the global Renewable Energy Sector, this year’s Zayed Future Energy Prize award for large corporation went to BYD Company Ltd. for its game-changing approach to energy storage and electrified transportation, as components of the company’s strategy to build a Zero Emission Energy Ecosystem, whose foundation is the company’s proprietary Iron-Phosphate battery technology. Witnessed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the Presidents of the UAE, Mexico, Nigeria and Iceland as well as other heads of state and more than 2,000 dignitaries and environmentalists, BYD chairman Chuanfu Wang accepted the award certificate from the hands of the President of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto.
Out of more than 1437 applications from over 97 countries competed in the five categories of the Prize. BYD’s presence at the Zayed Future Energy Prize this year gathers a couple of firsts: as well as the first Chinese organization to be awarded the Large Coprporation Category, it is the first to be granted not only this year’s award, but also the Lifetime Achievement Award to an individual for their achievements in sustainability – which went to BYD’s founder and chairman, Mr. Chuanfu Wang, in 2014.
In his acceptance speech Mr. Wang stated: "We are very proud to have our efforts recognized with this award, and I’d like to convey my deepest gratitude to the jurors and the Zayed Foundation for creating the Zayed Future Energy Prize to promote sustainable energy. By getting this award, BYD is instilled with a greater sense of responsibility towards continuing to research, develop and implement cleaner forms of energy as a basis for sustainable development, so that we can effectively materialize our dreams of a clean and livable planet.”
As the world’s largest supplier of rechargeable batteries as well as the largest maker of new energy vehicles, BYD’s Zero Emission Energy Ecosystem – comprising proprietary technologies for affordable solar power generation, effective energy storage and cutting-edge electrified transportation – is a ground-breaking proposition for sustainable development. BYD’s contribution to a greener future can also be seen in its massive global presence in Electrified Public Transportation since 2010: its pure-electric buses and taxis are currently running in over 165 cities in more than 40 countries, amassing enough emission-free mileage to actually make a difference in total global emissions from transportation. Additionally to its astounding achievement in public transportation, BYD has also substantially strengthened its presence in electrified transportation for the consumer market in 2015, with EV and PHEV sales totaling nearly 70,000 units in the year, a two-fold surge as compared to the previous year, and an 11% rise in global market share. In the energy storage sector, BYD holds more than 50 percent of the U.S. market share, growing into the world"s largest supplier of energy storage solutions, and finally, BYD latest breakthroughs in solar module technologies are closer than ever to making solar power generation more efficient and affordable in dozens of projects chiefly in Europe and Africa.
About Zayed Future Energy Prize
The world is in desperate need of innovative solutions to create a new, sustainable energy future. No one knows who or where the next great energy solution will come from. Solutions and technologies that could change the world are being developed globally, and the $4 million Zayed Future Energy Prize, managed by Masdar in Abu Dhabi, is ready to recognize nd reward these innovators of our time.
The Zayed Future Energy Prize came to fruition as a result of the vision of the late Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
In 2008 at the World Future Energy Summit, His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the UAE, announced The Zayed Future Energy Prize, to honor his father’s legacy of environmental stewardship.
With a mind towards ensuring that the Prize reaches out to the different key players in the industry; The Prize will is awarded annually to: A Large Corporation, A Small and Medium Enterprise, A Non-Governmental Organization, a Lifetime Achievement recipient and up to 5 High Schools from 5 different world regions.