Highlights:
- Women must be at the center of the Energy Transition and drive India’s Renewable Energy Journey Growth Story – says Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman at NSEFI’s Women in Energy Event.
- “There is no strength greater than the strength of women,” said Shri Pranav R Mehta, Chairman of NSEFI, in his opening remarks.
Women must be at the center of the energy transition and drive the growth story of India’s renewable energy journey, says India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman of NSEFI’s (National Solar Energy Federation of India) ‘Women in Energy’ event.
On November 21, 2022, the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) hosted a conference on women in the energy industry. The NSEFI event provides a venue for the gathering of women stakeholders from different fields, positions, and sectors to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the renewable energy industry provides a forum to discuss the relevance of women. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs for the Government of India, graced the occasion with her presence.
Women in Energy: Strengthening the Indian Event
“There is no strength greater than the strength of women,” Shri Pranav R Mehta, Chairman of NSEFI, in his opening remarks. “Women play an important role in every area to bring about progress.” In his inaugural speech, the finance minister noted that the country’s attention has shifted from women’s development to women-led development. To do this, the government and many groups are working around the clock to include women in every key sector and to bring about systemic reforms in the ways of living in society focused on maximizing access to women in energy, education, and ease of doing business.
She details the role banks play in financial empowerment in India, as well as how solar energy is now helping women earn money. The Women in Solar Energy (WISE) portal was also launched by the Finance Minister. All women seeking career direction in the energy field and investigating job opportunities can use the Women in Solar Energy Portal as a resource. Leading women professionals in the solar energy industry are also included in this portal as mentors to guide women who want to pursue careers in the solar energy business. To educate women about all aspects of the solar energy sector, the portal will feature various training modules developed by these mentors. The goal of the portal is to accelerate the transition to green energy by strengthening the leadership of women in the energy industry, which will promote social progress and ultimately help empower the economy. The Women in Solar Energy (WISE) Portal was launched by NSEFI in collaboration with the Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ).
The Minister of Finance also spoke to women entrepreneurs and beneficiaries of the energy sector who are active in rural communities and spread the energy transition there. Dr. Vandana Kumar, Additional Secretary of the Rajya Sabha and former Additional Secretary in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, as well as Suman Sharma, Managing Director of Solar Energy Cooperation in India Ltd., were also honored guests at the event.
According to a 2021 IRENA report, ‘the solar PV industry provides 4.3 million people – one third of all renewable energy jobs worldwide’. 40 percent of women report employment in the sector. This is almost double the share of women working in the wind industry (21%) and the oil and gas sector (22%).
