A Mentorship Programme to Empower Women in the Energy Storage Sector

The European energy sector is innovative, forward-thinking, and committed to advancing the transition to a net-zero emissions energy system by mid-century. The industry is rightly recognised by EU policymakers as a priority for the “Next Generation EU” Recovery Plan given the potential for job growth and the vital importance of ensuring a green economic recovery.

But the energy sector, like other STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), is dogged by a persistent problem: it employs too few women, especially in leadership positions. Only 22% of the EU energy sector workforce is composed of women, according to a 2017 study by the European Institute for Gender Equality. The renewable energy sector performs slightly better: According to an IRENA survey carried out in 2018, the share of women in the global renewable energy workforce is 32%.

Although data are not available for the energy storage sector, anecdotal evidence confirms the gender inequality issues seen across the broader energy industry. This is a shame, because ensuring women’s participation in the workforce has many benefits. Not only does it expand the talent pool for companies, but increasing gender diversity in teams has been found to improve collaboration, bringing fresh perspectives and approaches. Also, higher shares of female leadership have been linked to better performance for organisations.

The gender equality challenge in the energy storage industry was remarked upon during one of the first meetings of the World Bank Energy Storage Partnership (of which EASE is a member) and led to the launch, in September 2020, of a first-of-its-kind initiative: the Women in Energy Storage Mentoring Programme.

The 12-month programme is led by the Secretariat of the Energy Storage Partnership, hosted by ESMAP, and the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET). It involves 25 women from 17 developing countries and centres on comprehensive knowledge-transfer through webinars, virtual networking, and peer-to-peer exchange. Each of the 25 mentees (selected from over 240 applicants) is paired with a mentor to share ideas, experiences, and advice to boost women’s chances of success in the storage sector.

EASE Policy Manager Brittney Elzarei was delighted to be chosen as a mentor for the programme. Having witnessed first-hand the lack of female participation in the EU energy sector, she was eager to get involved in a programme that seeks to encourage more women to become active in the energy storage industry.

Clearly, much more must be done to support women’s participation in the energy storage sector. But a dedicated mentorship programme, bringing together women from around the world, is a very good place for the energy storage sector to start.

EASE is committed to promoting diversity, gender equality, and inclusivity in energy storage. We are striving to involve and recognise more women in all of our association’s activities, to serve as speakers and moderators at EASE events, fill leadership roles within the association, and participate in Committees, Working Groups, and Task Forces.

How can you help?

• Read IRENA’s excellent study on gender equality in the renewables industry and a study prepared for the European Parliament on Women, Gender Equality and the Energy Transition in the EU.
• Get involved with the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (or encourage female colleagues to do so) or register as an expert at the Brussels Binder.
• Follow the activities of the Women in Energy Storage Mentoring Programme and consider applying as a mentor (or mentee) next year. Alternatively, seek out a mentee or mentor on your own.
• If you are a female expert in energy storage or would like to recommend an expert for EASE to consider featuring in our events and activities, get in touch!
• If you are an EASE member, consider how you can involve more women from your organisation in EASE activities, particularly in leadership roles (Presidency team, Executive Board, or leading a Working Group or Task Force).