"We quickly decided that we should seize the opportunity to extend the influence of the prize through redistributing the cash award to others," he told The Guardian.

Vestas will donate US$750,000 to WindMade, a certification label for sourcing of wind energy; US$250,000 to Bunker Roy, Founder of the Barefoot College in India, Terry Tamminen, Australian Founder of Seventh Generation Advisors and solar thin-film photovoltaic (PV) company First Solar, the newspaper says.

The recipients of Vestas' donations were among the top 6 shortlist for the Zayed Future Energy Prize.