Three outstanding individuals and projects have won the 2025 European Sustainable Energy Awards for their innovation and achievements in the field of energy efficiency and renewables.
The winners were chosen by an online public vote in three categories: Innovation, Local Energy Action, and Woman in Energy. They received their awards from the members of the high-level jury at the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) awards ceremony on 10 June in Brussels.
Greek academic Dr. Stella Tsani won the award in the Woman in Energy category, rewarding her efforts to bridge research and action around energy and the environment, while investing heavily in the next generation of energy professionals, especially young women. Stella combines rigorous academic work in the clean energy transition with high-level policy engagement, contributing to practical advances by shaping evidence-based policy recommendations.
The Community Energy for Social Housing initiative in Otterbeek, Belgium, came first in the Local Energy Action category, for its work in providing renewable energy access to vulnerable tenants, working with the community to equip 200 housing units with solar panels and deliver clean energy at below-market rates. The initiative, which received EU support under the TANDEMSproject, developed a EUR 1 million investment model funded through citizen contributions, showcasing the power of community-driven financing.
AQUABATTERY in the Netherlands was chosen as the winner in the Innovation category. Its pilot project in Delft may soon be able to commercialise the world’s most sustainable, affordable and scalable long duration energy storage solution based on table salt and water. This unique innovation, using abundant and environmentally-friendly materials, could help Europe to reduce its dependence on critical raw materials in developing the energy storage solutions that are critical to integrate renewable energy sources like wind and solar into the grid.
The European Sustainable Energy Awards (EUSEW Awards) recognise outstanding individuals and projects for their innovation and efforts in energy efficiency and renewables. The three winners were chosen by an online public vote from among nine finalists selected by a high-level jury in three categories – Innovation, Local Energy Action, and Woman in Energy.
European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, takes place between 10-12 June under the theme of ‘Powering a fair and competitive green transition’. The event brings together public authorities, industry, NGOs and consumers to promote initiatives accelerating decarbonisation through green technologies and solutions towards a competitive, clean and fair energy transition for both consumers and businesses.
Source: EUSEW
