Donna Gartland, the head of Dublin’s Energy Agency Codema, has won the European Sustainable Energy Award 2026 in the Women in Energy category, recognising her role in driving Ireland’s transition to low-carbon heat, while promoting gender equality in the workplace.
Donna came first in an online public vote, receiving the award at the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) Awards Ceremony on 9 June 2026 in Brussels.
The Dublin Energy Agency head has been instrumental in leading a landmark district heating project using waste heat from a nearby data centre to supply municipal and residential buildings, as well as securing major EU funding under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition programme.
“What we have achieved at Codema demonstrates how local action, driven by neutral actors like energy agencies, can have a transformative effect on national energy systems and therefore on EU energy and climate targets,” says Donna.
At the same time, Donna has transformed workplace practices, mainstreaming gender equality and progressive policies, including a four-day working week on full pay and a gender-neutral family leave policy. “We ensure our job specs are appealing to both women and men, and have a bias-free, fair and consistent recruitment process,” she adds, with the result that women now make up the majority of Codema’s workforce and senior leadership across all sectors of the agency – “a significant achievement in Ireland’s traditionally male-dominated energy sector”.
Donna Gartland was one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2026 in the Women in Energy category, which recognises women who lead outstanding activities that, if replicated, help to advance the clean energy transition in Europe. Particular attention is placed on efforts to drive the gender mainstreaming agenda and support equality and equal opportunities in the energy sector.
The other finalists in this category were Suzanne Renard from France and Dr. Nadia Horstmann from Germany.
Suzanne Renard leads a national movement that brings together, supports, and finances citizen-led renewable energy projects with an active focus on diversity. Dr. Nadia Horstmann plays a key role at the German Energy Regulator and champions gender equality at national and international level.
The European Sustainable Energy Awards recognise outstanding individuals, projects and initiatives that advance Europe’s transition to clean energy in three categories – SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency, Local Energy Action, and Women in Energy. Nine finalists were selected by a high-level jury before being submitted to an online public vote.
EUSEW 2026
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe and is organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy and the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). The 20th edition of EUSEW is taking place in a hybrid format, onsite in Brussels and online, on 9-11 June 2026. The European Sustainable Energy Week consists of a three-day Policy Conference, the European Sustainable Energy Awards Ceremony, the Energy Fair, and the activities dedicated to the Young Energy Ambassadors.
For updates on the agenda and location of the events, please refer to the EUSEW Programme and the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) page on Linkedin. You can still join the event, either in person or online, by registering and then the platform opens up the possibility of networking with other participants.
Join the conversation any time on social media via #EUSEW2026.
- Publication date
- 9 June 2026
- Author
- European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency