Former US vice president Al Gore will give away five awards, the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy, from the finalists at Royal Geographical Society in London on June 21, says a press release yesterday.

The Bangladeshi finalist will compete with contenders from China, Ghana, India, Lao PDR, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines and Tanzania.

A prize money of over 200,000 pound sterling has been earmarked to help project expansion and replication in other communities, both locally and nationwide.

"The finalists will be in London next month for the last stage of the judging process," the release said.

Shidhulal Swanirvar Sangstha of Bangladesh was selected for building up a fleet of 88 boats that use solar energy to bring education, training and renewable energy supplies to over 400,000 people living in remote Chalanbeel area.