Smart Energy Excellence Awards and Gala Dinner
Tuesday May 6th 2026 | 6pm-10:30pm
Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf
Celebrating outstanding achievements across the renewables sector
About
The Smart Energy Council is proud to announce the dates and categories for the Smart Energy Excellence Awards and Gala Dinner for 2026.
With 10 categories, these awards recognise and promote the significant achievements across the entire renewable energy industry in Australia.
Culminating in a gala dinner at Doltone House on Sydney’s Jones Bay Wharf Pyrmont on 6 May 2026, the first evening of our annual peak renewable energy sector gathering - Smart Energy Conference and Exhibtion - entering these awards is an opportunity for you and your organisation to gain valuable exposure and be celebrated as industry leaders.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsoring the Smart Energy Council Excellence Awards and Gala Dinner offers unparalleled opportunities to showcase your brand to industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators, network with decision-makers and influencers in the renewable energy sector, demonstrate your sector leadership, and contribute to supporting advancement and excellence in sustainable energy. This must attend celebration is part of Smart Energy Council's annual peak renewable energy sector gathering - the Smart Energy Conference and Exhibition, and awards sponsorships can be packaged with other exhibition and partnership opportunities.
2025 Sponsors & Partners
Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award
Excellence in Training
Smart Installer of the Year Award
Excellence in Stewardship
Sponsoring Partner
Key Dates
Award entries open: 11 December 2026
Award entries close: 13 February 2026
Awards Finalists announced: 13 March 2026
Smart Energy Excellence Awards Gala Dinner Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney: 6 May 2026, 6pm-10.30pm
Award Categories
Honouring the people behind Australia’s sustainable energy revolution by recognising installers setting new standards in technical mastery, safety, and customer care across solar and energy storage.
Showcasing the breakthroughs transforming how Australia generates, stores, and manages energy by celebrating ideas, products, and technologies that inspire collaboration and impact.
Acknowledging Smart Energy Council members showing exceptional leadership, advocacy, and engagement to strengthen collaboration and innovation across Australia’s smart energy community.
Highlighting programs and trainers uplifting skills, standards, and CPD opportunities to ensure Australia’s clean energy workforce remains accredited and future-ready.
Recognising workplaces investing in their people, championing diversity, safety, and innovation, and building a stronger, values-driven clean energy industry.
Supporting early-career innovators demonstrating initiative, creativity, and influence in shaping the next generation of Australia’s renewable energy leaders.
Championing leadership for a sustainable future by recognising individuals, projects, and organisations driving measurable change through innovation, resource recovery, and ethical long-term approaches.
Celebrating First Nations leadership and partnerships strengthening sovereignty, participation, and cultural connection in a fair and inclusive energy transition.
Acknowledging Global impact and significance in the smart energy sector, materiality of scale, global reach and success.
Paying tribute to trailblazers whose lifetime achievement, vision, and mentorship have shaped Australia’s renewable energy movement and continue to guide its future.
Gala Dinner
6 May 2026 6pm - 10:30pm
Overlooking Sydney Harbour, Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf combines a beautifully restored heritage building, a strong focus on sustainability, and spectacular waterfront views. A 10 minute walk from our Smart Energy Conference and Exhibition - the perfect new location for our growing annual Gala Dinner celebration, unveiling the category winners, network, and celebrate the incredible achievements of our renewable energy industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Entering the Smart Energy Excellence Awards offers the opportunity to showcase your commitment to sustainability, innovation, and leadership in the energy sector. By participating, you have the opportunity to position yourself or your brand as a leader in the transition to a smarter energy future and benchmark your achievements against the best in the field.
The awards provide finalists and winners with valuable exposure and public recognition.
Please refer to the awards info pack for further information on criteria for each award.
You can nominate yourself for an award, and you can also nominate others.
There are separate categories for organisations and individuals. Please review the selection criteria for each award to determine which categories are right for you and your organisation.
Entry into the Smart Energy Excellence Awards 2026 is free.
You can enter as many categories as you like. Please review the eligibility and judging criteria for each category carefully before entering.
Judges are looking for standout submissions. Each question will be scored based on how it responds to the question and the merit of the response. We recommend your answers make use of the word limit, include clear and precise information, and incorporate relevant examples, case studies, testimonials or data that back up your points. Judges will not consider unrelated information or responses that extend past the word limit, so your responses should focus on answering the question.
Finalists for the Smart Energy Excellence Awards will be announced by [Insert date]. National winners will be announced at the Smart Energy Excellence Awards 2026 Gala Dinner on Wednesday 6 May, 2026 at Doltone House on Sydney’s Darling Island.
Ticket sales for the Smart Energy Excellence Awards 2025 Gala Dinner are now open. Purchase your ticket here.