Lei Zhang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Envision Energy, has been named the recipient of the Energy Institute’s 2026 President’s Award — the organisation’s highest honour — in recognition of his transformative contributions to the global energy transition.
In announcing the award, the Energy Institute (EI) highlighted Envision’s role in reshaping the global energy landscape by aligning decarbonisation with economic growth and long-term prosperity. Zhang was recognised for framing the energy transition not as a constraint, but as a systems-level challenge and economic opportunity — one that demands innovation, digitalisation, and long-term thinking.
A Milestone for the Private Sector
The award marks a significant milestone for business leadership in climate action. Zhang is the first entrepreneur and private-sector executive to receive the EI President’s Award, which has traditionally been conferred upon leaders from government, diplomacy, and international institutions.
“The President’s Award is the Energy Institute’s highest honour, presented to individuals whose achievements have had a transformative impact on global energy,” the Institute said. “Lei’s vision and leadership have made him one of the foremost global energy leaders. Through Envision, he is shaping the AI energy system — providing a foundation that is infinite, intelligent and affordable for all.”
The EI noted that achieving net zero will depend not only on policy ambition, but also on companies capable of building and operating the infrastructure and digital systems required to make the transition investable and durable.
Technology, Abundance and a New Energy Era
In his acceptance remarks, Zhang described the current moment as pivotal, noting that technological innovation has reduced renewable energy costs to the point where clean energy can be both affordable and abundant.
Drawing a historical parallel, he compared today’s energy transformation to the 13th-century introduction of paper — initially dismissed as inferior to parchment, yet ultimately instrumental in democratizing knowledge due to its affordability.
“The age of fossil fuels will pass,” Zhang said. “What rises next is not just a new energy system — but a new horizon for humanity. When energy becomes abundant and accessible, like paper once was for knowledge, it will unlock intelligence, restore dignity, and reshape cooperation. That is how we will create a new prosperity for civilisation.”
Global Influence in Climate Leadership
Zhang is widely regarded as an influential voice in international energy and climate circles. He co-founded the Global School of Sustainability with the London School of Economics and was named among TIME’s “100 Most Influential Climate Leaders of 2025.”
Founded in 2007, Envision has built its strategy around the principle that clean energy is not only an environmental imperative but also a foundation for economic renewal. The company recently announced the global launch of Dubhe, an advanced energy foundation model designed to integrate energy systems with artificial intelligence and support the scaling of the AI-driven energy ecosystem.
The Energy Institute, a chartered professional membership body for the global energy community, works to accelerate a just transition to net zero. Its flagship event, International Energy Week, convenes policymakers, industry leaders, and experts annually in London to advance dialogue on the future of energy.
By honouring Zhang, the Institute underscored the growing recognition that sustainable development is central to secure and resilient economic growth — and that technology-driven leadership will be critical in shaping the next chapter of global energy transformation.
