Nominations are now open for the Young Energy Professionals (YEP) Awards 2026, kicking off the annual event that recognises the brightest emerging talent in the UK energy industry.
Now in their 12th year, the YEP Awards are the UK’s key platform for celebrating the work of energy professionals with no more than 10 years’ experience who are already making their mark and driving the sector forward.
Energy UK is the proud host of the secretariat of the YEP Forum, an energy industry network established to connect professionals and provide opportunities to network, collaborate and develop skills.
The awards programme sets out to identify strong potential, celebrate success and recognise the achievements of those working hard to innovate, solve problems and deliver solutions to support a reliable, clean and affordable energy system.
Industry experts will judge entrants across nine categories, which are free to enter for those nominating themselves or putting someone else forward. The full list of categories for 2026 is:
- Rising Star
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Focus
- Customer Champion
- Communications and Engagement
- STEM Trailblazer
- Team of the Year
- Supply Chain Innovator
- Audrey Gallacher Award for Excellence
- Young Energy Professional of the Year
Dhara Vyas, Chief Executive of Energy UK, said: “The YEP Awards ceremony is a highlight of the energy industry’s calendar, celebrating the next generation of leaders across a range of disciplines. Every year I’m excited to see the diversity of experience and skills from some of the newest entrants to our industry.
“The awards shine a spotlight on the people who are already driving real change – whether that’s you or someone you know, I’d encourage everyone to take a moment to celebrate the incredible talent emerging across our industry and put a nomination forward.”
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 5 August, with the list of finalists to be revealed on the Energy UK website on Wednesday 16 September. The YEP awards ceremony itself will be held at Hilton London Bankside on Wednesday 11 November.
Further details on each of the awards and how to nominate yourself or someone else can be found on the Energy UK website.
Sponsorship opportunities for the Communications & Engagement, Team of the Year and Customer Champion awards are still available, if interested in participating you can contact: membership@energy-uk.org.uk.
Notes to editors
About the Young Energy Professionals Forum
The Young Energy Professionals (YEP) Forum is a community to promote and inspire the next generation of energy industry leaders, providing opportunities to connect, develop and recognise success. Free to join, we have over 2,300 members from across 350 different companies. We run insightful events and initiatives throughout the year which cover the whole spectrum of the energy sector – from panel sessions and interviews with the sector’s senior leaders, to networking receptions, informal social events and site visits to some of the country’s most significant energy infrastructure facilities.
About Energy UK
Energy UK is the trade association for the energy industry, representing companies investing billions of pounds to secure our country’s current and future energy needs. From growing start-ups to major electricity generators, grid and infrastructure developers and energy suppliers, our members are driving change across power, heat, transport and flexibility. We provide a collective voice for the sector working with governments, regulators, charities and other organisations to provide crucial insight that shapes policy, offers solutions and promotes best practice. Our broad view across the whole system supports evidence-based positions which are not tied to particular technologies, and are focused on delivering strategic benefits for people, businesses and the economy. We champion initiatives such as our Vulnerability Commitment, which pushes suppliers to go beyond regulation to support customers with additional needs, and TIDE, the industry’s drive for greater inclusion and diversity. Through our Young Energy Professionals Forum, we support the development of future leaders. We are equally committed to our team and are proud to be recognised as a ‘Platinum’ Investors in People employer.