Nasheed named among Zayed Future Energy Prize jury

President Mohamed Nasheed has been named among the jury of the UAE’s Zayed Future Energy Prize, an international award to recognise innovation, leadership and impact in renewable energy and sustainability.

Among the other judges chosen for the panel are Leonardo Dicaprio, Oscar-winning actor; Andre Agassi, Grand Slam tennis champion; Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister; and Elizabeth Dipuo Peters, South African Minister of Energy.

The newly-selected judges join continuing members Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland; Ahmed Al Sayegh, Chairman of Masdar; and Dr Susan Hockfield, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The final judging panel will meet later this year in a four-tiered open process that selects the prize winners and finalists who will be honoured in an awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi on January 17, 2012.

The annual Zayed Future Energy Prize is open to individuals, large companies, entrepreneurs, small- to medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and NGOs in the field of renewable energy and sustainability. Award category and prizes are: SMEs/NGOs: $1.5 million (winner), $1m (first runner-up), and $500,000 (second runner-up); Lifetime Achievement — Individual: $500,000; large corporations: Recognition Award.