TERA-Award 2026 launches with UN and Cambridge partnerships to boost smart energy innovations

The TERA‑Award Smart Energy Competition 2026 has officially opened, partnering with the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) to speed up global climate solutions through advanced energy technologies.

The competition, founded in 2021 by Peter Lee Ka‑kit, has grown into a major international platform offering substantial prizes, real-world application connections, industry collaboration, and investment support. It seeks frontier energy innovations from around the world to tackle climate change and speed up their commercial rollout.

Now recognized as one of the most influential events in energy technology, the 2026 edition strengthens its impact through these new strategic alliances.

UNCTAD will leverage its global policy expertise and networks to better match projects with market needs and accelerate international adoption.

CISL will contribute leading research insights on climate and energy to improve judging and highlight projects with strong scientific and commercial potential.

Executive Chairman of the TERA-Award Organising Committee Alan Chan Ying-lung emphasizes that these partnerships align closely on using innovation to solve climate issues, with plans to work more with governments worldwide to deploy winning technologies in practical settings and support the global energy shift.

The competition adds two new tracks—AI×Energy and Next-Generation Energy—while keeping core areas like Green Fuels & Hydrogen Energy, Energy Storage and Conversion, energy efficiency and CCUS Technology, and Intelligent Energy Systems.

The AI×Energy track targets AI improvements to energy efficiency and solutions for AI's growing power demands with low-carbon approaches.

The new generation track expands renewables to include fusion and small modular reactors.

Hong Kong's role as an international innovation hub supports the event, aligning with the city's Climate Action Plan 2050 to build a strong green ecosystem.

Government partners highlight Hong Kong's strengths in green tech and finance to help breakthroughs reach real applications and global markets.

To date, the competition has drawn nearly 2,000 projects from 76 countries and regions, distributing US$4.65 million in prizes, while aiding commercialization through funding and deployment links.

The 2026 edition offers a total prize pool of US$1.15 million. Applications are open online until late April 2026. Upcoming roadshows in the UK, Europe, Singapore, Beijing, and other hubs will promote the event worldwide.

Global energy innovators are encouraged to join and contribute to effective climate action through collaborative technological progress.