Energy Professional of the Year

Presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the energy profession and to the candidate’s community in any or all these areas: educational and collegiate achievements; professional and technical society activities; civic and humanitarian activities, continuing competence; energy management achievements; climate change activities and achievements; and renewable energy activities and achievements.

1.       Leadership: Demonstrates strong leadership, mentorship, and influence in the energy sector.

2.       Innovation, Creativity & Initiative: Introduces new ideas, solutions, or approaches advancing energy efficiency and sustainability.

3.       Performance & Achievements: Proven, measurable contributions and results in energy-related work.

4.       Industry & Community Impact: Active involvement in professional bodies, community upliftment, and sector advancement.

Young Professional of the Year (SAYES)

Presented to an individual 35 years of age or younger on January 1, 2026 who has made outstanding contributions to the energy profession and to the candidate’s community in any or all of these areas: educational and collegiate achievements; professional and technical society activities; civic and humanitarian activities, continuing competence; energy management achievements; climate change, sustainability, and resource efficiency activities and achievements; and renewable energy activities and achievements.

1.       Leadership: Demonstrates emerging leadership and initiative.

2.       Innovation, Creativity & Initiative: Applies fresh, forward-thinking ideas.

3.       Performance & Achievements: Notable accomplishments relative to career stage.

4.       Industry & Community Impact: Participation in industry and community development.

Female Professional of the Year (SAFEE)

Presented to a Female who has made outstanding contributions to the energy profession and to the candidate’s community in any or all these areas: educational and collegiate achievements; professional and technical society activities; civic and humanitarian activities, continuing competence; energy management achievements; climate change,  sustainability, and resource efficiency activities and achievements; and renewable energy activities and achievements.

1.       Leadership: Demonstrates leadership and serves as a role model.

2.       Innovation, Creativity & Initiative: Drives impactful and inclusive solutions.

3.       Performance & Achievements: Proven success in energy-related initiatives.

4.       Industry & Community Impact: Contribution to empowerment, inclusion, and sector growth.

Energy Service Company (ESCO) of the Year

Presented to an energy saving company for outstanding accomplishments in developing, organizing, managing and implementing its corporate energy management program, and for superior service to the Association

1.       Leadership & Governance: Strong organisational direction and credibility.

2.       Innovation & Strategy: Innovative service delivery models and solutions.

3.       Performance & Measurable Results: Demonstrated client energy savings, ROI, and successful implementation.

4.       Client & Industry Impact: Measurable value delivered to clients and contribution to industry standards.

Commercial Corporate Company of the Year

Presented to a commercial corporation, agency, or organisation for outstanding accomplishments in developing, organising, managing and implementing its corporate energy management and sustainability programmes, and for superior service to the Association

1.       Leadership & Governance: Executive commitment to energy efficiency.

2.       Innovation & Strategy: Adoption of smart building systems and energy strategies.

3.       Performance & Measurable Results: Reduction and measurable impact across energy, carbon, and broader sustainability indicators (e.g. resource efficiency, cost savings, and environmental or social outcomes) consumption and costs.

4.       Operational Integration & Impact: Energy management and sustainability initiatives embedded in operations and facilities.

Industrial Corporate Company of the Year

Presented to an industrial corporation, agency, or organisation for outstanding accomplishments in developing, organising, managing and implementing its corporate energy management and sustainability programmes, and for superior service to the Association.

1.       Leadership & Governance: Strategic direction in energy management and sustainability.

2.       Innovation & Strategy: Process optimisation and industrial efficiency solutions.

3.       Performance & Measurable Results: Significant energy and emissions reductions.

4.       Operational Integration & Impact: Integration into production processes.

Commercial Energy Project of the Year

Recognises an innovative commercial energy management project in South Africa that has been in operation for at least six (6) months and can be substantiated with actual installation costs and operating savings.

1.       Leadership & Project Execution: Effective planning and delivery.

2.       Innovation & Technical Design: Innovative or improved commercial solutions.

3.       Performance & Energy Impact: Verified energy savings and operational success.

4.       Financial Efficiency: Project cost (ZAR), ROI, payback period.

5.       Scale, Replicability & Impact: Building size (m²), number of occupants.

6.       Technical Requirements: Baseline energy (kWh), Annual savings (kWh/year), Total savings (kWh).

7.       Supporting Evidence: Up to 2 images (before/after, dashboards).

Industrial Energy Project of the Year

Recognises an innovative industrial energy management project in South Africa that has been in operation for at least six (6) months and can be substantiated with actual installation costs and operating savings.

1.       Leadership & Project Execution: Strong implementation in industrial setting.

2.       Innovation & Technical Design: Advanced industrial solutions.

3.       Performance & Energy Impact: Verified operational improvements.

4.       Financial Efficiency: Cost vs savings (ZAR, ROI).

5.       Scale, Replicability & Impact: Plant size, production scale, workforce impacted.

6.       Technical Requirements: Baseline, annual & total savings (kWh, MWh, GJ).

7.       Supporting Evidence: Up to 2 images.

Innovative Project of the Year

Recognises an innovative energy project (includes renewables and green projects, water and those making significant impact on climate change) that has been in operation for at least six months and can be substantiated with actual installation, operating costs, and achievements. This is a broad category, and all projects are given fair consideration.

1.       Leadership & Project Execution: Visionary and well-executed project delivery.

2.       Innovation & Technical Design: Highly original or disruptive solution.

3.       Performance & Energy Impact: Environmental and energy impact (including CO₂ reduction where available).

4.       Financial Efficiency: Cost vs impact.

5.       Scale, Replicability & Impact: Potential for scaling or replication.

6.       Technical Requirements: Baseline, annual & total savings.

7.       Supporting Evidence: Up to 2 images.

Energy Innovator of the Year

Presented to an individual for outstanding achievement and innovation in promoting the adoption of renewable, green, or other innovative energy technologies

1.       Leadership: Thought leadership in innovation.

2.       Innovation, Creativity & Initiative: Development or promotion of new technologies.

3.       Performance & Achievements: Measurable adoption and success.

4.       Industry Impact: Influence on sector transformation.

Energy Management Leadership Award

Presented to an organization who established an energy management system at one or more company facilities and having a system certified to ISO 50001

1.       Leadership & Governance: Commitment to structured energy management.

2.       Innovation & Strategy: Continuous improvement practices.

3.       Performance & Measurable Results: Demonstrated energy performance improvements.

4.       Compliance & Impact: ISO 50001 certification and sustainability outcomes.