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Apply Now: 20th Anniversary of the dena Energy Award

For its 20th anniversary, the dena Energy Award – efficiency and climate action is starting a new phase. It seeks companies actively driving transformation through innovative energy efficiency measures and impactful climate action projects.

Berlin, April 8, 2026. Companies that place a strategic focus on energy efficiency, innovation, and climate protection may apply for the dena Energy Award – efficiency and climate action starting today. In light of the award’s 20th anniversary, dena – the German Energy Agency, is refining its renowned competition: What was known as the Energy Efficiency Award until 2025 is now the dena Energy Award. The competition is aimed at companies that drive transformation with integrated strategies, innovative technologies, or strong partnerships. Solutions that measurably save energy, lower greenhouse gas emissions, or serve as scalable blueprints have a strong chance of being recognised for their efforts.

Corinna Enders, CEO of dena Chair of the dena Executive Board: “With its new name, the award puts a heavier focus on holistic decarbonisation efforts, alongside efficiency and entrepreneurial innovation. In this sense, the award stands for exemplary entrepreneurial accomplishments that combine business success and transformation. We want to strengthen these pioneers even further – and, in the future, improve the international visibility of their impact.” 

Since 2007, more than 1,700 companies have submitted applications, and 78 projects have received awards. The dena Energy Award 2026 is presented in three categories as well as an audience award.

Move forward! – Integrated Strategies and Measures for Climate Neutrality
The ideal candidates submit holistic climate action plans with concrete projects that significantly improve decarbonisation efforts and work towards the goal of climate neutrality. 

Go smart! – Energy Efficiency via Technologies and Digitalisation
Innovative energy efficiency technologies, that offer measurable energy-saving potential, are recognised in this category. This may include advanced technologies for the measurement and control of systems. 

Act together! – Cooperation for Effective Energy Efficiency and Climate Action Projects
This category honours exemplary cooperation in energy efficiency and climate action projects. The focus is on cooperative project developments, contracting solutions, and sustainable infrastructures. 

Pioneer – Audience Award for Small and Medium Enterprises
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. 

Applications may be submitted at the following URL: https://bewerbung.dena-energy-award.de/en 

The application deadline is June 5, 2026.

About the dena Energy Award

The dena Energy Award was launched in 2007 and has since established itself as one of the leading awards in the field of entrepreneurial energy efficiency and climate action. With its continued development under the name of dena Energy Award – efficiency and climate action, the competition recognises the increased significance of integrated solutions for decarbonisation. The selection of nominees and award recipients in their respective categories is carried out by an independent panel of judges, which consists of high-calibre representatives from academia, media, industry, and politics. 

Nominees and award winners of all categories will be honoured on November 9th, 2026, at the dena Kongress in Berlin. 

The competition is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.