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Zayed Future Energy Prize Winner Partners With Finalist To Implement Winning Project |
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Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya (KSV), the 2014 Zayed Future Energy Prize winner in the Global High School category for Asia, has partnered with 2014 SME finalist, SELCO India to implement its award-winning sustainability project. The winners and finalists of the Prize were recognised during the 2014 Zayed Future Energy Prize award ceremony that took place on January 20, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). KSV, a school specializing in meeting the needs of disadvantaged children in the southern state of Karnataka, was grantedUS$100,000 at the 2014 Zayed Future Energy Prize award ceremony for its student-led project to become self-sustainable using energy efficiency, solar technology and bio-gas energy. The schoolhas partnered withSELCO India, a for-profit social enterprisethat uses renewable energy for alleviating poverty, to build a solar powered ‘green amphitheatre’as a means to enhance its music and dance-focused curriculum. SELCO will also install a solar powered mini-grid to power the school’s classrooms and hostel facilities. In addition, KSV has commissioned SELCOto undertake an energy audit prior to the solar installations, with a second energy audit planned post-installation to compare savings. Speaking about the partnership, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize said, “This is a powerful example of the impact of the Prize and of the convening power of ADSW. The partnership between KSV and SELCO is a true demonstration of how ADSW has fast become a center of gravity, bringing individuals and institutions committed to sustainability togetherfor a greater cause.This project will transform the lives ofKSV’s studentsand the wider community by providing much-needed access to energy and water.This success of this project honours and underscoresthe legacy of the Prize’s namesake, the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.” “Winning the Zayed Future Energy Prize has given us the funding we so urgently need to meet KSV’s energy requirements and provide our studentswith quality education facilities,” said Mr Naveen Jha, president of the managing committee of KSV.“We are delighted to partner with SELCO, a trusted name in solar energy solutions,to bring this venture to life. This project will instruct and inspire our students towards a more sustainable way of life - the students of today will be the inventors of new green technologies tomorrow.” Speaking about the project, SELCO’sfounder Harish Hande said: “KSV’s mission of using renewable energy to empower economically deprivedstudents matches closely with SELCO’s own philosophy of driving energy access in underprivileged societiesto enhance livelihoods and improve the quality of life. We are excited to join hands with KSV and the Zayed Future Energy Prize to make this project a reality.” The Zayed Future Energy Prize is a US$4 million prize awarded annually to companies, schools and individuals that have made significant contributions to the future of energy and sustainability. In six years, the Prize has rewarded 30innovators and impacted communities across the world.
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