• Karin Formigoni, Global Industry Executive, Energy & Water, was named as a 2026 recipient of the Women in Global Energy Transition Award at the 8th Women in Energy Transition Awards, held on 22 September at the QEII Centre, London
• Energy & Water is one of Arcadis’ key growth industries, where Arcadis ranks fourth in water supply and third in transmission and distribution in ENR’s 2025 Global Sourcebook rankings

Karin Formigoni, Global Industry Executive, Energy & Water at Arcadis (EURONEXT: ARCAD), has been named a recipient of the 2026 Women in Global Energy Transition Award. The award was presented by the Women in Renewables Alliance (WiRA) at the 8th Women in Energy Transition Awards, held on 22 September at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, where she was one of four global recipients recognized in the category.

 

 

Nominees were assessed on innovation and leadership, impact on sustainability, professional achievement, advocacy, adaptability and resilience. WiRA recognized Karin for her leadership across green hydrogen, industrial decarbonization, water security and climate resilience, and for her record on inclusive leadership, including growing female representation in Arcadis’ Brazil business to 47%.

Turning energy transition ambition into delivered projects

Karin has spent more than 20 years at Arcadis across urbanism, infrastructure, energy, water and resilience, beginning in environmental and urban planning – a foundation that still shapes her systems view of how critical infrastructure performs together, in her role as Global President, Resilience, leading a €1.4 billion business area and more than 10,000 people, alongside her recently appointed Industry leadership position. Working across the Americas, Europe and Australia, she has led and sponsored programs representing more than 5 GW of hydrogen and ammonia, over 10 GW of renewable energy, more than 3 GW of hydropower, and over 2,000 km of transmission line.

Work delivered under her leadership includes Arcadis’ strategic agreement with CELA and Siemens to accelerate green hydrogen development and its support to Fortescue on green hydrogen and ammonia projects at Pecém; the conversion of Norsk Hydro’s Alunorte refinery from heavy fuel oil to natural gas, reducing approximately 700,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually; and Sabesp’s Universal Water Supply and Sewerage Program, improving services for more than 28 million people in and around São Paulo.

At COP30, Karin represented Arcadis, launching its Nature Based Solutions for Resilient Cities guide and speaking on responsible resource development – on a site whose urban wetland system Arcadis designed, creating 260,000 square meters of green space and treating up to 118 cubic meters of sewage a day.

Building the next generation of energy and water talent and innovation

Karin mentors and sponsors under-represented groups across infrastructure and engineering, supports Arcadis’ participation in UN Global Compact – Rede Brasil movements including Elas Lideram 2030 and Ambição Net Zero, and sits on the Advisory Board of Dutcham, the Dutch-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.

The sector faces sustained demand for both specialist skills and practical innovation, and Arcadis is investing in both. Its Energy Transition Academy, powered by the Lovinklaan Foundation, is building specialist capability across the energy transition, while the acquisition of SATEL adds around 250 power specialists in Spain across grids, substations, renewables and data center power infrastructure. Further, Arcadis’ AI for Energy Innovation Challenge, now underway, co-funds and co-creates practical AI applications with clients, from permitting and transmission planning to grid resilience and asset performance.

Karin Formigoni, Global Industry Executive, Energy & Water, Arcadis, said: “Energy security and water security are no longer separate conversations. Grid capacity, water availability and permitting now decide whether major industrial and digital investments go ahead at all, and helping clients bring those decisions together, early, is where we add the most value.”

“I take this recognition seriously, because awards like this make visible work that isn’t always seen. It belongs to the engineers, planners and advisors I work with every day, and I hope it opens space for others to see themselves in this role – particularly in emerging economies, where some of the most decisive energy transition work is happening.”

Heather Polinsky, CEO, Arcadis said: “Energy and water are core to Arcadis, and they are critical to almost everything our clients are trying to deliver – from grid capacity and water security to the infrastructure behind industrial and digital growth. When we talk about focusing on our strengths, this is what we mean: the areas where our expertise runs deepest and where we can create the most value. Karin brings strong sector knowledge, commercial judgment, and a strong track record for building high performing teams. Seeing her globally recognized is a proud moment, and a signal of more to come.”