Advancing gender equality in the renewable energy sector
By Alliance for Rural Electrification & Schneider Electric's Access to Energy program
16 Jul 2025 • 3 min
Schneider Electric, in partnership with the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), has developed this whitepaper to illustrate the organization’s inclusive role within the renewable energy sector—encompassing both grid-connected and off-grid solutions—and to examine how advancing gender equality can accelerate progress toward universal energy access. Drawing on case studies and impact narratives from Schneider Electric’s Access to Energy (A2E) program, the paper explores how equitable participation and access to clean energy contribute to both social and environmental advancement. It also outlines practical strategies for organizations seeking to promote inclusive growth.
Involving women in the design and implementation of renewable energy projects can have a multiplier effect in poverty reduction and community well-being. The traditional energy sector is male dominated, with a female participation of 16%. In contrast, women make up an estimated 32% of the renewable energy sector. Further advancing women’s rights in the renewable energy sector offers access for companies to an untapped and expanded pool of talent and potentially an array of innovative solutions that conventional approaches may miss.
The advancement of gender equality not only drives positive economic outcomes but also :
- Increases local energy demand and access
- Enhances the financial viability of renewable energy technologies
- Reduces dependency on grants and subsidies
In certain projects, empowering women—especially through rural self-help groups and associations—has led to a documented 14% increase in community income. Prioritizing initiatives that ensure women equally benefit from energy access programs initiates a virtuous cycle, yielding higher returns on investment and supporting sustained regional development.
All data and claims referenced in this summary are sourced from Schneider Electric and ARE initiatives and are further substantiated by specific, externally validated case studies cited within the whitepaper.
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