Irish energy leader driving decarbonisation and gender equality shortlisted for 2026 European Sustainable Energy Awards

She’s gone from art college drop-out to apprentice electrician, to energy engineer, to CEO in just 15 years… and now, as head of Dublin’s Energy Agency Codema, Donna Gartland has driven Ireland’s transition to low-carbon heat, leading a landmark district heating project, securing major EU funding and shaping national energy policy. 

At the same time, Donna has transformed the workplace at Codema, mainstreaming gender equality and equal opportunities: in just six years, staff numbers have doubled and progressive workplace policies have been introduced, including a four-day working week on full pay and a gender-neutral family leave policy. 

“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. 

Specifically, Donna has delivered tangible, system-level impacts on Ireland’s energy transition, particularly in decarbonising heat – one of Europe’s most challenging sectors.  

Inspired by her time in Denmark, where she gained a Masters in Energy Systems Planning and Management, Donna applied her expertise to establish district heating (DH) – a network of insulated pipes that delivers heat from central energy sources to provide heating and hot water to connected buildings – as a viable, low-carbon solution in Ireland.  

Under her leadership, Codema developed the Tallaght District Heating Scheme, the first large-scale DH system in Ireland, which uses waste heat from a nearby Amazon data centre to supply municipal and residential buildings, reducing CO₂ emissions by 1 500 tonnes a year – equivalent to some 9 000 return Dublin-Brussels flights in the economy category*.  

Donna also secured EUR 4.5 million in funding for the project through Ireland’s Climate Action Fund and the EU-funded HeatNetNWE project.    

“Anywhere there’s a chimney with steam coming out of it is a potential heat source,” she says, adding that DH could supply 87% of Dublin’s heat demand by 2050, using waste and renewable heat sources to heat the equivalent of 1.6 million homes in the Irish capital. 

“District heating and local energy planning are bottom-up approaches to addressing the challenges of decarbonising the energy system, where local-level actors play a key role,” Donna explains. But equally significant have been her passion and commitment to achieving equal opportunities – an essential yet often overlooked enabler of the energy transition. 

Under her leadership, which has earned Donna three national awards, Codema introduced a four-day working week with full pay, a gender-neutral family leave policy, flexible hybrid working and options to work abroad remotely, creating a workplace that supports women, parents and carers. These measures have resulted in very high retention rates among Codema’s staff and impressive wellbeing scores, independently supported by University College Dublin research.  

Women now make up the majority (53%) of Codema’s workforce and senior leadership (58%), with Donna stressing that they come coming from all types of backgrounds – finance, communications, science, project management, marketing. “It’s not just technical roles that are needed,” she says. “In fact, sometimes it’s quite the opposite!” 

“The main attributes you need to make a change in this sector are passion and belief that align with your own values – and I think many women have the core values that are needed to make that change, fairness, equality, teamwork, vision, strength and courage.” 

Donna Gartland is one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2026 in the Women in Energy category. The award 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 are Suzanne Renard from France and Nadia Horstmann from Germany. Suzanne leads a national movement that brings together, supports, and finances citizen-led renewable energy projects with an active focus on diversity. Nadia plays a key role at the German Energy Regulator and champions gender equality at national and international level. 

The winner will be chosen through an online public vote, which is open from now until 31 May, and will be announced at an awards ceremony in Brussels on 9 June 2026.  

EUSEW Awards ​celebrate Europe’s best clean energy projects and leaders   

The European Sustainable Energy Awards ​(EUSEW Awards) recognise outstanding individuals, projects and initiatives that advance Europe’s transition to clean energy. The nine finalists have been selected by a high-level jury in three categories: SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency, Local Energy Action, and Women in Energy. The finalists will be submitted to an online public vote, which is open now until 31 May, and the winners will be announced during the EUSEW Awards Ceremony on 9 June 2026. ​    

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 will take place in a hybrid format, onsite in Brussels and online, from 9-11 June 2026. 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. Participants will also have access to independently organised Sustainable Energy Days, taking place in online and physical formats worldwide.   

For updates on the agenda and location of the events, please refer to ec.europa.eu/eusew and the new  European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) page on LinkedIn. Join the conversation any time on social media via #EUSEW2026.  

*Source: https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/environmental-tools/icec