The Zayed Future Energy Prize, an annual prize for renewable energy excellence, has launched ‘The Zayed Future Energy Prize Global High Schools’ initiative to empower students to build a sustainable future.
As part of this initiative, the agency has decided to reach out to Indian schools and students with a message that every student holds the capacity to shape a better future for all. They will help schools understand and address their own environmental footprint and create a tangible change in behavior in participating school communities and beyond, officials at the Prize said.
India has made significant strides in renewable energy sector over the past few years. The market is estimated to be worth over US$17 Billion and is growing at an annual rate of 15 percent. India is now projected to become the 3rd largest power generator by 2030.
Creating environmental awareness through curriculum will help impart the knowledge and skills necessary to face critical global energy issues in future, according to officials at the Prize.
Dr. Nawal, Al-Hosany, director of Sustainability, Masdar and also director, Zayed Future Energy Prize, said, “In order to meet India’s growing energy demands, educating young minds becomes a crucial part of the strategy to transform India into an energy efficient market.”
“The Zayed Future Energy Prize, Global High Schools category is a commitment by the government of the UAE to actively involve the youth in sustainability and show that education and awareness play a critical role in advancing renewable energy,” Al-Hosany added.
As part of the Global High Schools commitment, Future Energy Prize has awarded Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya (KSV), a school that caters to disadvantaged students in the Dharwad district of Karnataka, a grant of US$100,000 for winning the Global High Schools (Asia) category in 2014.
The school won the Prize for its student-led project to become self-sustainable using energy efficiency, solar lighting and bio-gas. In addition, they developed a ‘green’ amphitheatre and a Light Scholarship program to electrify the homes of deserving underprivileged students.
The Zayed Future Energy Prize annually awards US$4 million prize to organisations, schools and individuals that have made significant contributions to the future of renewable energy and sustainability. The Prize is managed by Masdar, on behalf of the Abu Dhabi government.