New York – Energy companies from eight countries (including the US and India) and three continents tonight received honors for leadership, innovation and exemplary performance at the 18th annual Platts Global Energy Awards, often described as the “Oscars” of energy.
In its selection of US-based Southern Company for “Energy Company of the Year,” the independent judges panel described the company as strategic,” “diverse” and “dynamic,” applauding the company and its CEO Tom Fanning, 35-year veteran of the firm, for a reputation of strong financial performance, as well as the company’s evolution to become one of the industry’s most diversified and admired electric and gas utilities firms.
“We congratulate Southern Company for its impressive dual win,” said Martin Fraenkel, president of Platts. “In this low-price environment, it is no small feat for Southern Company to deliver ever-improving dividends to its shareholders and an ever-expanding footprint. Southern, as all of tonight’s Global Energy Awards winners, and the finalists, alike, are to be applauded for their impressive contributions to the world’s energy arena,” Fraenkel added.
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, a Government of India Enterprise with a Navratna Status, and a Forbes 2000 and Global Fortune 500 company was awarded the Corporate Social Responsibility Award.
Essar Oil, an India-based company engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas, refining of crude oil, and marketing of petroleum products, bagged the Industry Leader Award Downstream.
For “Rising Star-Individual,” judges chose Elizabeth Killinger, NRG Executive Vice President and President of NRG Retail and Reliant Energy, pointing to her consistent track record of service to both the energy and non-energy industry, and lauding her customer-focused thinking, which helped contribute to her company’s early lead in successful smart home temperature and security controls.
“Thrives amidst challenge,” is how judges described Kelly Tomblin, chief executive officer of Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), who was named this year’s “CEO of the Year,” one of the more hotly contested award categories including 12 finalists from six countries.
Abdalla Salem El-Badri, the longest-serving secretary general in the history of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and Harold Hamm, founder, chairman and CEO of Continental Resources, who led the charge to lift America’s 40-year-old ban on US crude oil exports, were both honored with “Lifetime Achievement” accolades.
Nineteen awards were bestowed upon companies and individuals at Cipriani Wall Street in lower Manhattan before an audience of nearly 400 energy and finance executives hailing from 18 countries. The event was emceed this year by CNBC Television Energy Correspondent Jackie DeAngelis.
The winners in each awards category are:
Energy Company of the Year
Southern Company
CEO of the Year
Kelly Tomblin, Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd
Lifetime Achievement
Harold Hamm, Continental Resources
Abdalla Salem El-Badri, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Strategic Deal of the Year
Southern Company
Financial Deal of the Year
I Squared Capital
Industry Leader Award Biofuels
Neste Corporation
Industry Leader Award Downstream
Essar Oil Ltd
Industry Leader Award Exploration & Production
Antero Resources
Industry Leader Award Midstream
ENGIE Global Markets
Industry Leader Award Power
Enel
Grid Edge Award – Energy Management
Blue Pillar
Construction Project of the Year
Bechtel
Engineering Project of the Year
Royal Dutch Shell
Rising Star Award Company
Aquion Energy
Rising Star Award Individual
Elizabeth Killinger, NRG
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation
Commercial Application of the Year
SolarReserve
Breakthrough Solution of the Year
DuPont Industrial Biosciences / Archer Daniels Midland
