Award categories
The dena Energy Award recognizes completed projects and concepts that have a significant impact on the energy transition and climate protection.
There are three competition categories to choose from. In addition, dena awards a special prize for particularly innovative solutions to a small or medium-sized enterprise selected from among all entries.
Winners and nominees will be honored at a formal awards ceremony during the dena Congress on November 9, 2026, in Berlin.
All important information regarding applications for the 2026 dena Energy Award can be found in the terms and conditions and in the fact sheet.
The Award Categories
Move forward!
Holistic climate action plans with concrete projects that significantly improve decarbonisation efforts and work towards the goal of climate neutrality are requested here. This includes the use of renewable energies or systemic measures.
Act together!
This category honours exemplary cooperation in energy efficiency and climate action projects. The focus is on cooperative project developments, contracting solutions, and sustainable infrastructures.
Go smart!
Innovative energy efficiency technologies, which open measurable saving potentials, are recognized in this category. This may include advanced technologies for the measurement and control of systems.
Pioneer (Audience Award)
The commitment of small and medium enterprises who, despite limited resources, recognise the challenges of the energy transition as an opportunity and lead the way, are at the forefront in this category.
"For 20 years, the award has recognized outstanding corporate achievements and highlighted how transformation succeeds in practice."
Rewarding the nominees
All nominees receive a label designating them as nominees for the dEA and are entitled to actively use the nomination for their own corporate communication.
The two additional nominees for the Pioneer Award receive 1,000 euros each, respectively.