The energy transition ‘is not possible without gender equality’ says German renewables chief

Simone Peter highlights vital role of gender equality at Women Energize Women conference

“The increasing pressure for a rapid energy transition underlines the urgency of gender equality in the energy sector," according to Dr Franziska Brantner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK).

"The renewable energy sector will require 42 million skilled workers by 2050. Female experts will be depended on to reach that goal - in terms of both their expertise and innovation," she added.

Brantner was speaking ahead of the international conference Women Energize Women, which takes place today in Munich.

The conference is the highlight of a global communication initiative of the same name, which is being implemented on behalf of the BMWK, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, which works towards sustainable development and education, and the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE).

The theme of today’s conference is Financing the Energy Transition and Investing in Women.

Currently more than 12 million people are employed in the energy sector. Women Energize Women say that to make the energy transition reality, this number need to quadruple by 2050.

“This will only happen,” it said in a statement, “if the sector overcomes its incomplete image as a male-dominated industry”.

“There are already many inspiring contributions from women who are driving renewable energy forward with their ideas and ventures, although they still make up less than a third of the sector.”

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At present, renewable energy still faces structural problems in this regard: while more women work in renewable energy than in oil and gas, most of them are in administrative roles.

Even in the photovoltaic sector, which has the highest proportion of women, only around 13 percent of management positions are held by women.

“Women and girls all over the world are entitled to equal rights, equal representation and appropriate resources," said Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Member of the Management Board of GIZ. "The energy transition will only succeed, if women can contribute with their perspectives, creativity and knowledge."

She added that “feminist perspectives and structural equality will only be included in the development of renewables if women also have access to knowledge, resources and financing in order to create for everyone a future worth living”.

Dr Simone Peter, President of the German Renewable Energy Federation, said “a fair and successful energy transition is not possible without gender equality".

"By participating in the energy transition, women can not only contribute to climate protection, but also improve their own living conditions. This requires tailor-made financing policies and programs - from special funds to micro-credits.”

The conference comes a week in advance of International Women in Engineering Day, which takes place on June 23.

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