The SAEE Awards Programme annually recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of individuals and companies in the energy field. The Awards are a token of recognition for the commitment to the profession, desire to further the association's mission, and participation in civic and community affairs. These Awards are presented at the SAEE’s Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony, held as part of the opening of the annual Southern African Energy Efficiency Convention and Exhibition.

The awards include the following:

1. Energy Newcomer of the Year

• Awarded to a newcomer, in recognition of the individual or organization’s outstanding achievements demonstrated within the energy industry in the Southern African region.

• Must have participated in contributing positively to the growth of the energy efficiency industry.

• New and innovative product, service and/or solution offerings that reduce the demand of energy resources should be demonstrated.

• A reduced impact on the environment will bode favorably.

• Substantiated declarations of the achievements are required.

• A newcomer is considered such when an organization entered the energy industry within the last 4 years of the entry date, or when an individual has entered the energy industry within any organization within the last 4 years of the entry date.

2. Energy Project of the Year

• Awarded to recognize energy efficiency projects that have delivered outstanding energy saving results in the energy industry within the Southern African region.
• Brownfield or greenfield projects in the residential, commercial or industrial sectors will be considered.

• A project that has employed innovative and effective ways of reducing the use of energy resources through implementing energy management, renewable energy installations, energy efficiency, installing energy saving devices, optimizing processes, implementing standards, expanded access to power, innovative means of conservation, etc.

• A project that has demonstrated an exceptional return on investment to demonstrate that energy efficiency makes business sense.

• Favorable consideration will be given to projects that consider the global environmental crisis, takes cognizance of sustainability and has significantly reduced its reliance on the national electrical grid.

• The project's achievements and results must be substantiated.

• Projects must have been completed in, and started operation, during the last year of date of entry so that results are available.

3. Energy Company of the Year

• Awarded to a company, that has demonstrated outstanding overall performance achievements in the energy industry in the Southern African region.

• A positive contribution to the growth of the energy efficiency industry through the delivery of its services, products, technologies, solutions or consultation provided to end-users of energy resources etc within the company’s area of expertise.

• The company’s achievements must demonstrate the effective and continuous efficient use of any of the energy resources through one or a combination of initiatives like the implementation of energy efficiency, energy management, process optimization, energy innovation, utilizing efficient equipment, awareness creation and education, or has advanced and expanded access to power and energy in a sustainable manner, etc within its end-user client-base.
• A significant achievement, or a combination of achievements that demonstrates the company’s overall performance, will be considered.

• A positive impact on the environment through the company’s activities delivered to the end-user will be beneficial.

• Substantiated declarations of the achievements are required.
• The achievement result must fall within the last year of the entry date.

4. Energy Patron of the Year

• Awarded to energy end-user organizations that have made significant commitments and achieved outstanding results by reducing their use of energy resources in the Southern African region.

• Organizations that have ensured the continuous efficient use of energy resources through incorporating a holistic approach within their business models.

• Organizations that have applied strategies, policies, created awareness, revised staff structures, ensured staff training, utilized incentives, implemented energy management, installed technologies, reduced their environmental impact and reliance on the grid, or any other innovative means of investing in the energy efficiency of its operations.

• Organizations that have used the services, products, technologies and initiatives of companies that specialize in the energy industry will be considered.

• Projects must have been completed within, and been in operation, during the last year of the entry date so that results are available.

5. Excellence Award in Energy

• Candidates for this category will be nominated and elected by the Board of the SAEE, recommendations for nomination are welcomed.

• Awarded to recognize an organisation or individual whose role has made a significant difference and contribution towards the growth of the energy efficiency and related industries in the Southern African region.

• Demonstrated outstanding achievements in a company, as an individual, by delivering exceptional service, excellent sustainable energy solutions, through innovative ideas and applications, etc that are viewed as excellent in the industry.

• The achievements in the last year from date of award entries will be recognized.

Nominations open for the 2012 Energy Awards open on 2 May 2012 and close 30 September 2012.