Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Launches ‘Women in Solar Energy’ Portal

Women should be at the center of energy transition and drive India’s renewable energy journey growth story, says India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman at the 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 provided a venue for bringing together female stakeholders from various fields, positions, and sectors to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the renewable energy industry provides a forum on talking about women’s involvement. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs for the Government of India, graced the occasion with her presence.

“No energy is bigger than women’s energy,” said Pranav R Mehta, Chairman of NSEFI, in his opening remarks. “Women play a crucial role in every area to bring the development.” In her inaugural speech, the finance minister noted that the nation’s attention has switched 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 important sector and to bring about systemic reforms to society’s means of subsistence that are focused on maximising women’s access to energy, education, and ease of doing business.

She went into detail on the role that banks play in India’s financial empowerment, as well as how solar energy may now help women make money. The Women in Solar Energy (WISE) portal was also opened by the Finance Minister. All women seeking direction to work in the energy field and investigating job opportunities can use the Women in Solar Energy Portal as a resource. Leading female professionals in the solar energy industry are also included on this portal as mentors who will guide women who want to pursue professions in the solar energy business. To educate the women about all facets of the solar energy sector, the portal will feature a variety of training modules created by these mentors. The portal’s goal is to facilitate the transition to green energy by strengthening women’s leadership in the energy industry, which will promote social advancement and eventually aid in empowering the economy. The Women in Solar Energy (WISE) Portal was launched by NSEFI in collaboration with the Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ).

The Finance Minister also spoke to women entrepreneurs and beneficiaries in the energy sector who are active in rural communities and spreading the energy transition there. Dr. Vandana Kumar, Additional Secretary of the Rajya Sabha and former Additional Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, as well as Suman Sharma, Managing Director of Solar Energy Cooperation of India Ltd., were also honored guests at the event.

As per a 2021 IRENA report, ‘the solar PV industry provides 4.3 million people—one-third of all renewable energy jobs worldwide’. 40 per cent of women account for employment in the sector. This is close to twice the share of women employed in the wind industry (21%) and the oil and gas sector (22%).

At a national level, female participation in the workforce has declined sharply over the past decade in India, putting to test the very future of the country’s ambitions, as there has been no instance of a country with such low female participation in the work force sustaining the kind of high growth rates India seeks and needs.