Women Still Underrepresented in Renewable Energy Sector, Says IRENA Report
Amidst the soaring growth of renewable energy jobs worldwide, a significant gender imbalance persists, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in its 2025 report. While the sector experiences unprecedented employment rates, women are still notably absent from technical and leadership roles.
IRENA’s findings shed light on structural barriers that continue to impede women’s full engagement in the energy transition. Although women hold 32% of full-time jobs in renewable energy, this figure is markedly higher than in oil, gas, and nuclear sectors, where women account for 23% and 25%, respectively. Nevertheless, it remains below the global workforce average of 43.4%.
The report highlights a clear division of gender roles within the industry. Nearly 45% of women in the renewable sector work in administrative roles, with 36% in non-STEM technical positions such as legal and regulatory functions. In stark contrast, only 28% of women occupy STEM-related roles, including engineering and data science, and a mere 22% are in medium-skilled roles like solar installation.
Leadership positions are even less accessible to women, who hold 26% of middle management roles and just 19% of senior management or board-level positions. This disparity underscores a “glass ceiling” effect, limiting women’s influence over strategic and technical decisions in the industry.
The report attributes this underrepresentation not to a lack of interest or ability among women, but to systemic barriers within educational and career pathways. Workplace bias, inadequate family-friendly policies, and societal expectations around caregiving and gender roles are cited as major obstacles.
Despite these challenges, the report identifies promising trends. It notes progress in shifting cultural norms, legal reforms, and an increasing number of female role models. Encouraging girls’ education, expanding engagement in STEM fields, and creating mentorship opportunities are crucial steps to fostering the next generation of female leaders in renewable energy.
IRENA calls for investments in inclusive workplaces and societal reforms to transform current challenges into future solutions. Public and private sector leaders are urged to promote inclusive policies and enhance women’s visibility in the industry.
Countries aiming to maximize the benefits of the energy transition must prioritize inclusivity in their strategies, according to IRENA. Governments, employers, educational institutions, civil society organizations, women’s networks, and trade unions are all critical in breaking down structural barriers and advancing fair workplace policies.
The insights are part of the 12th edition of IRENA’s 2025 Annual Review, developed with the International Labour Organization (ILO), as renewable energy employment reaches a record high of 16.6 million worldwide in 2024.
As the energy transition evolves with automation and artificial intelligence, closing the gender gap is not just an equity issue but a strategic imperative for resilient and sustainable energy systems. “A just transition to a renewables-based future must be grounded in inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunity,” stated Gilbert F Houngbo, director general of ILO.
Women hold just 32% of renewable energy jobs globally, per IRENA’s 2025 report, with stark underrepresentation in STEM and leadership roles amid the sector’s record 16.6 million jobs.
Original Story at www.jamaicaobserver.com