Abu Dhabi Opens Nominations for Zayed Future Energy Prize

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- 2007 Nobel
Laureate Dr. Rajendra Kumar Pachauri and Masdar CEO, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber
today announced the official call for nominations and submissions for the
Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP), an international awards program to
recognize individuals, companies, organizations, and NGO's who are leading
the global search for future energy solutions.

Named after the UAE's Founding Father late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan
Al Nahyan, the Zayed Future Energy Prize was launched in January this year
at the inaugural World Future Energy Summit by HH General Sheikh Mohammed
bin Zayed al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander
of the UAE Armed Forces, to encourage innovations in the field of clean
energy and sustainable development. The prize is a Masdar initiative, which
is Abu Dhabi's landmark program to develop sustainable solutions to meet
the world's future energy demand.

The winner and finalists of the first Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP)
will be announced at the World Future Energy Summit on January, 19th 2009.
The winner will receive US$1.5 million and two finalists will receive
US$350,000 each to take their ideas and ambitions forward.

The jury, who will be responsible for selecting the winners, was also
announced today and includes some of the world's leading experts in future
energy and climate change. The full jury includes: Dr. Rajendra Kumar
Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
and Chairman of the Jury for ZFE; HE Olafur Grimsson, President of Iceland;
HE Khaled Irani, Environment Minister of Jordan; HE Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh,
Chairman of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar); Lord John Browne,
Managing Director, Riverstone Holdings; Lord Norman Foster, Founder and
Chairman, Foster + Partners and Jeremy Rifkin, President of the Foundation
on Economic Trends.

"Climate change is one of the most significant challenges we face
today. Over the past two decades we have seen some incredible advancements
in the development of alternate sources of energy, but there is still a
long road ahead. The Zayed Future Energy Prize will be an important symbol
for creating future energy choices, as it will be honoring the
contributions of energy pioneers and inspiring others to seek and create
innovative solutions for a sustainable future," said Dr. R.K. Pachauri,
Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and
Chairman of the Jury for ZFEP.

"In establishing the Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP), Abu Dhabi honors
and continues HH Sheikh Zayed's environmental legacy and advocacy for
sustainable development. This vision is for a new energy future, whereby
the world has access to energy that is sustainable, accessible, and
affordable. This can be achieved by driving the best minds to explore
science and technology, and develop evolutionary solutions," added Sultan
Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar and Director General of ZFEP.

A dual language, Arabic and English website was designed specifically
for the prize and is now live. The website, http://www.zayedfutureenergyprize.com,
will be a focal point for information and updates on The Zayed Future
Energy Prize (ZFEP) and will be a portal for entering nominations and
submissions.

Nominations and Submissions for the Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP)
will be open until July 31, 2008 and September 30, 2008, respectively.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP) is the preeminent award in field
of clean energy supported by the Government of Abu Dhabi and announced at
the World Future Energy Summit in 2008. It recognizes and aspires
individuals, organizations and companies--making contributions in clean
energy research, engineering, theoretical advancement, and/or in the areas
public policy and public awareness. Projects and innovations in one or more
of the following fields are eligible for nomination:



-- Renewable and sustainable energy
-- Efficient use of traditional sources of energy
-- Conservation
-- Sustainable energy policy
-- Communication and public awareness.

The selection process for the Prize is modeled on the Nobel Prize. The
finalists will be selected by global experts in clean energy. The winner
will be awarded a prize of $1.5 million and the two finalists will be
awarded a $350,000 each.

About Masdar

The Masdar Initiative is Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted, multi-billion
dollar investment in the development and commercialization of innovative
technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies as well as
sustainable design. Masdar is driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company
(ADFEC), a wholly owned company of the government of Abu Dhabi through the
Mubadala Development Company. In January 2008, Abu Dhabi announced it will
invest $15 billion in Masdar, the largest single government investment of
its kind. For more information about the Masdar Initiative, please visit
http://www.masdaruae.com.



Media Contacts:

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Zarmineh Rab Michael Iacovella
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Masdar Tel: +1-212-704-8254
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Fax: +971-2-6988123 Mob: +1-917-532-7977
Mob: +971-5-4502315 Michael.iacovella@edelman.com
zrab@masdar.ae

Mohammed Kharroubi UK & Europe
Asda'a Public Relations Laura Misselbrook
Tel: +971-4-3344550 Edelman PR Worldwide
Fax: +971-4-3344556 Tel: +44 (0)20 3047 2208
m.kharroubi@asdaa.com Fax: +44 (0)20 3047 2507
laura.misselbrook@edelman.com