This article is also available in Italian / Questo articolo è disponibile anche in italiano
The European Sustainable Energy Awards 2025, held on 10 June in Brussels during the annual European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), recognised individuals and projects driving innovation and progress in energy efficiency and renewable energy across Europe.
The winners were selected by an online public vote in three categories: Innovation, Local Energy Action, and Woman in Energy. They were chosen from a shortlist of nine finalists, initially selected by a high-level jury.
The European Sustainable Energy Awards spotlight individuals and initiatives that are shaping the continent’s green energy future. Part of EUSEW 2025, the awards are a key feature of Europe’s largest annual event on renewables and energy efficiency, which this year is focused on “Powering a fair and competitive green transition.”
Taking place from 10 to 12 June, the European Sustainable Energy Week brings together public authorities, businesses, NGOs, and citizens to accelerate the shift towards a cleaner, fairer, and more competitive energy system through innovative technologies and solutions.
Who won the European Sustainable Energy Awards
In the Woman in Energy category, the award went to Dr. Stella Tsani, a Greek academic known for her efforts to bridge the gap between research and policy. Dr. Tsani has been instrumental in shaping evidence-based policies for the clean energy transition while mentoring the next generation of energy professionals, especially young women. Her work combines academic excellence with practical impact at both local and international levels.
The Local Energy Action award was granted to the Community Energy for Social Housing initiative in Otterbeek, Belgium. This project enabled renewable energy access for vulnerable tenants by installing solar panels on 200 housing units, delivering clean electricity at below-market rates. Supported by the EU-funded TANDEMS project, the initiative successfully mobilised EUR 1 million through citizen contributions, offering a compelling model of community-driven financing.
In the Innovation category, Dutch start-up Aquabattery was recognised for its breakthrough long-duration energy storage system. Based in Delft, their pilot project uses only table salt and water to store energy, making it one of the most sustainable and scalable solutions currently in development. If commercialised, this technology could reduce Europe’s dependence on critical raw materials while improving grid integration of renewables like wind and solar.
Cover: the winners, picture by European Sustainable Energy Awards