AGENDA AT A GLANCE
ACT I | Why AI Is Now an Energy Story
14:00 - 14:10
(10 mins)
[Welcome Keynote] The AI–Energy Nexus: Two Industries, One System
-
Molly Huang, Secretary General, Women in Renewables Alliance (WiRA)
14:10 - 14:20
(10 mins)
[Opening Keynote] Partnering for Implementation: How Governments and Industry Can Build a Resilient, Inclusive and Low-Carbon Intelligence Economy
-
Gaia Puleston, Branch Head, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Australia)
14:20 - 14:30 (10 mins)
[Video Address] From Wind to Warm Homes: How Denmark Is Weaving Data Centres into Its Energy System
-
Anne Højer Simonsen, Senior Vice President, International Climate Politics, Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) (Virtual)
14:30 - 14:40 (10 mins)
[HER Story] From Activist to Insider: A Journey from Campaigning for Change to Shaping Sustainability Inside a Global AI-First Company
-
Prajna Khanna, Chief Sustainability Officer & Vice President, Prosus Group and Naspers, Prosus
ACT II | When Data Meets Energy
14:40 - 15:30 (50 mins)
[Strategic Panel] Powering AI at Scale: Building a Low-Carbon Foundation for the Intelligence Economy
A conversation between the people who build data centres and the people who power them: what each side needs from the other to make AI growth work for the energy system.
Moderator:
-
Arianna Griffa, Senior Policy Manager - Global Advocacy, Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)
Panlists:
-
Ana Quelhas, EVP Hydrogen and Data Centers, EDP Renewables
-
Susana Fernández Martínez, Head of Global Power Regulation, Iberdrola
-
Cathrin Stadler, Director - Head of Energy Trading Regulation, Centrica Energy
-
Lizzy McDowell, Director of Marketing, KAO DATA
-
Sophie Westlake, Senior Energy Policy Analyst, International Energy Agency (IEA)
-
Bihter Gönenli, Vice President, Secure Power & Data Centers Business – TurCA Cluster, Schneider Electric
-
Alice Delhaye, Associate Director ‑ Corporate Finance and Capital Markets, Yondrgroup
15:30 - 15:40 (10 mins)
[Keynote] Beyond Representation: Women at the Decision-Making Table for the AI–Energy Transition
-
Eng. Nawal Alhanaee, Director of Future Energy Department, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, UAE
15:40 - 15:50 (10 mins)
[Award Presentation] Women in Global Energy Transition Award
-
Presented to Eng. Nawal Alhanaee
Coffee Break & Networking
ACT II | When Data Meets Energy
16:20 - 16:30 (10 mins)
[Video Keynote] Clean Power, Fair Access: Brazil's Grid in the Age of AI
-
Agnes M. da Costa, Director, Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL) (Virtual)
16:30 - 17:20 (50 mins)
[Leadership Panel] Women as Agents of Change: Leading a Gender-Responsive and Socially Sustainable Digital–Energy Future
Rules, capital and people: who sets the rules of the digital–energy transition, who funds it, who benefits, and how women can shape every step.
Moderator:
-
Joanna Osawe, Founder, President & CEO, Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE)
Panlists:
-
Seçil Kızılkaya Yıldız, Executive Vice President, Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye
-
Naiara Ortiz de Mendíbil, Secretary General, SEDIGAS
-
Dr Michal Nachmany, Founder & CEO, Climate Policy Radar
-
Dr. Saara Tamminen, Chief Specialist, Prime Minister's Office of Finland
-
Shuo Yang, Associate Director - Rewiring the Nation, Clean Energy Finance Corporation
-
Michelle Howie, Innovation Development Manager, SA Power Networks
-
Ilina Radoslavova Stefanova, Team Lead, Collaboration and knowledge exchange, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
17:20 - 17:40 (20 mins)
[Ceremony] 2026 IMPACT Ambassador & Campaigner Recognition Ceremony
17:40 - 19:00 (90 mins)
[Networking] COP31 Gender Diversity Night: Data Meets Energy
An evening to connect women and allies from digital infrastructure and the energy sector.
KEY THEMES IN OUR DISCUSSIONS
AI and the energy transition are converging faster than the institutions governing them. Our discussions focus on where that convergence creates real choices, and on making sure women are at the table when those choices are made.
01
Power the Intelligence Economy, Sustainably
AI's rising electricity demand is testing grids, supply chains and climate targets at the same time. We examine the mix of renewables, firm power, storage and flexible demand that can support AI growth without locking in new emissions. We also look at how utilities, hyperscalers and investors can move at the speed this requires.
02
Lead Where AI–Energy Decisions Are Made
Grid connection queues, data centre siting, capital allocation and procurement standards are where the future of this sector is being decided. Women remain underrepresented in these rooms. We look at how to change who holds technical, investment and executive authority, not only who is visible on stage.
03
Design AI-Enabled Energy Systems That Serve Everyone
AI-optimised grids and data centres carry trade-offs: for local communities, for energy affordability, and for who benefits from efficiency gains. We explore how diverse perspectives and gender-responsive leadership lead to better design decisions. The goal is a transition that is both faster and fairer.
04
Build the Talent and Allyship the Convergence Needs
The AI–energy workforce is being formed right now, across engineering, data, finance and policy. We highlight practical pathways for women into these roles, and the part male leaders play in opening them up rather than simply endorsing them.
2026 Highlights
PROUDLY HOST BY:
DIVERSITY PARTNER:
More to be announced...
2026 IMPACT AMBASSADORS:
The 2026 IMPACT Ambassador distinction recognises outstanding women leaders and allies across the energy, technology and digital infrastructure sectors who have not only achieved remarkable success in their careers, but have also shown unwavering dedication to advancing women's leadership and representation in the Al and energy transition.
Eng. Nawal Alhanee
Director of Future Energy
Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, UAE
Anne Højer Simonsen
Senior Vice President, International Climate Politics
Confederation of Danish Industry (DI)
Gaia Puleston
Branch Head
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Australia)
Prajna Khanna
Chief Sustainability Officer
Prosus Group
Ana Quelhas
EVP Hydrogen and Data Centers
EDP Renewables
Agnes M. da Costa
Director
Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL)
Mary Burce Warlick
Deputy Executive Director
International Energy Agency
Dr. Saara Tamminen
Chief Specialist
Prime Minister’s Office of Finland
Seçil Kızılkaya Yıldız
Executive Vice President
Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye
More to be announced...
2026 IMPACT CAMPAIGNERS
The 2026 IMPACT Campaigner distinction recognises women leaders and allies who are actively driving change across the energy, technology and digital infrastructure sectors. Through their expertise, advocacy and everyday leadership, they are opening doors for more women, championing inclusive workplaces, and making sure diverse voices are heard in the decisions shaping the AI and energy transition.
Sophie Westlake
Senior Energy Policy Analyst
International Energy Agency (IEA)
Alice Delhaye
Associate Director ‑ Corporate Finance and Capital Market
Yondr Group
Naiara Ortiz de Mendíbil
Secretary General
SEDIGAS
Adriana Reais Pinto
Investment & Infrastructure Strategy, Energy & Water
AdP – Águas de Portugal
Christine Lins
Executive Director
Global Women's Network for the Energy Transition
Cathrin Stadler
Director - Head of Energy Trading Regulation
Centrica Energy
Shuo Yang
Associate Director - Rewiring the Nation
Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Lorena Bravo
Global Cybersecurity Strategist, WomenCIsO President
Joanna Osawe
President & CEO
Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE)
Lizzy McDowell
Director of Marketing
KAO DATA
Dr. Michal Nachmany
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Climate Policy Radar
Bihter Gönenli
Vice President, Secure Power & Data Centers Business – TurCA Cluster
Schneider Electric
Arianna Griffa
Senior Policy Manager - Global Advocacy
Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)
Michelle Howie
Innovation Development Manager
SA Power Networks
Susana Fernández Martínez
Head of Global Power Regulation
Iberdrola
Belinda Dennett
CEO
Data Centres AUSTRALIA
Ilina Radoslavova Stefanova
Team Lead, Collaboration and knowledge exchange
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
More to be announced...
Hearing Women’s Voices Shaping the Digital–Energy Transition
Leaders from across the energy transition share their perspectives on AI, energy and women’s leadership, as part of the COP31 – Women in AI & Energy Transition Dialogue.
Christine Lins
Executive Director
Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET)
"Women must be at the heart of this transition. It’s not only about fairness and representation, but about quality, innovation and effectiveness. "
Anne Højer Simonsen
Senior Vice President, International Climate Politics
Confederation of Danish Industry (DI)
"Bringing more women into the challenging fields of energy and climate, and recognising their contributions."
Adriana Reais Pinto
Investment & Infrastructure Strategy, Energy & Water
AdP – Águas de Portugal
"The energy transition is a huge economic and social opportunity, and women have a key role in shaping its policy, regulation, investment and resilience."
2026 VIP Attendees
Cassandra Ma
Future Energy Engineer
Synergy
Maddie Clancy
Principal Engineer - Strategic Network Development
Transgrid
