Energy companies from 21 countries on three continents have been chosen as finalists in the Platts Global Energy Awards, an annual program recognizing exemplary industry leadership. The 2010 finalists, selected from well over 200 nominations, were announced this week by program host Platts, the leading global provider of energy information.

Established in 1999 and widely recognized as the “Oscars” of the energy industry, Platts Global Energy Awards highlight corporate and individual innovation, leadership, and superior performance in 17 categories spanning the entire energy complex.

“This year’s record number of entries and finalists in the energy efficiency and technology categories underscores the industry’s increasing commitment to developing environmentally-conscious solutions to the world’s supply needs,” said Larry Neal, president of Platts. “We look forward to spotlighting our finalists’ accomplishments in these categories and all others when we unveil the Global Energy Awards winners in December.”

In concert with the program’s recent focus on sustainability and “green” efficiency and innovation, Platts now bestows two awards that recognize energy efficiency – one for Energy Efficiency Program of the Year – Energy Supplier and the other for Energy Efficiency Program of the Year – Commercial End-User. Altogether, 17 finalists are vying for these titles, including such notable “end-user” finalists as Coca-Cola Enterprises, Staples, McDonalds, and the United States Navy.

“This year’s nominations show that several of these cutting-edge programs and projects were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and that our ‘Rising Star’ nominees are creating jobs that employ new approaches to meeting global demand for energy while addressing environmental concerns,” said Patsy Wurster, head of Platts Global Energy Awards program.

In addition to the awards in the specific performance categories, Platts will also name the 2010 Energy Company of the Year. The winner of this award will be chosen from the entire list of finalists by the program’s independent judges’ panel, which includes former regulators, past heads of major energy companies, leading academics and international energy experts.

More than 500 guests are expected to attend the black-tie dinner at New York’s Cipriani Wall Street on Thursday, December 2, when the 2010 Global Energy Awards will be presented by Platts and Capgemini, the program’s principal sponsor for the past eight years. Co-sponsor Elster Integrated Solutions and celebration sponsor SolArc return for the third year for the dinner, and co-sponsor SAIC and opening reception sponsor Credit Suisse will both be back for a second time.

Tags: Platts