The country's premier awards for innovative people from all walks of life is creating an online community for those concerned with helping to create an energy efficient future. South Africans with energy saving ideas can turn their ingenuity into R30 000 in hard cash by entering the eta Awards Facebook Popular Vote online.

Facebook fans of The eta Awards South Africa page can submit photographs with descriptions of their energy saving projects online and, for the first time ever, all interested South Africans will be able to have a say in the outcome of an eta Awards category.

"The 2011 eta Awards marks the 22nd anniversary of this annual competition which is sponsored by Eskom and endorsed by the Department of Energy. By moving with the times and encouraging people to enter the eta Awards online, we believe that more people will be encouraged to share their trend setting ideas with the nation," says Dr Steve Lennon, divisional executive, Eskom International and chairman of the eta Awards.

The Facebook fan page Popular Vote category will be added to the ‘formal' competition, which will still have its rigorous adjudication process. The increased accessibility offered by Facebook means that anyone can read about the awards and enter at any time they choose.

The eta Awards South Africa fan page went live at midnight on Friday, 1 July, 2011 and will remain open for entries until midnight on August 26, 2011.

After entries close, fans of the awards will be able to vote for what they consider to be the best energy saving idea or photograph submitted to the Facebook fan page. The popular vote will close on 10 October and the five ideas receiving the most votes will be reviewed by the judges. A winner will then be announced on 14 October and receive R30 000 in cash for their creative energy solution at the awards evening in Johannesburg on9 November.

The ‘formal' side of the awards will still involve competitors across the comprehensive categories submitting their entries by Friday 5 August for review by judges on Friday, 26 August. Selected semi-finalists will then be invited to meet the judges to discuss their entries on Friday, 23 September. Winners will be announced at the awards evening with the winner of the Popular Vote category.

"As has become traditional with the eta Awards, we will be reviewing entries from all sectors and assessing the role that the ideas and processes involved can play in promoting energy efficiency. Our primary drive is to use these innovative ideas to create awareness of the importance of using energy wisely in our daily lives," says Dr Lennon.

Winners of each category will receive cash prizes of R30 000. The two runners-up in each of the formal categories receive R5 000, subject to the judges' discretion.

"We are looking forward to this year's completion which promises, with the addition of the Facebook Popular Vote, to be the most widely supported and exciting eta Awards yet," concludes Dr Lennon.

Enquiries: Annamarie Murray. Email murraya@eskom.co.za or amroux@mweb.co.za.

Visit www.eta-awards.co.za or the fan page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/etaAwards.