Diversity & Best Practices

The solar power sector will experience a steady 2 digit growth rate over the coming years. Consequently, the number of employed workers in the sector will exponentially increase. In the EU, the 750 GW target by 2030 proposed by REPowerEU will likely translate into 1 million jobs, while a higher target of 1 TW by 2030 brings that number closer to 1.5 million.

The higher employment level is certainly good news, but it is important to ensure that everyone benefits from these opportunities. The sector must have a wide talent pool; gender equality must be reached in the sector. At the global scale, women are underrepresented in the workforce, and account for only 39% of the world’s total employees. In the energy sector, the percentage falls to a shameful 16%, according to the IEA’s latest World Energy Employment.

Solar is leading the energy sector when it comes to gender equality, with 40% women employees according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. This is compared to 21% for the wind industry, and 22% in the oil and gas sector. Still, inequalities are observed within solar, as the share of women drops to 32% employment for positions related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and is only 13% for senior management posts.

Improving diversity in companies empowers women, increases the GDP per capita, and the welfare of families. To explore this important topic, this session has gathered key energy transition actors to share their best practices and daily efforts to tackle gender inequality, remove the entry barriers faced by women, and establish supportive care policies.