Indian Women Professionals in Power Sector Engage Minister to Advance Gender Equality and Renewable Energy Initiatives

On February 15, 2024, a group comprising 25 mid-career women professionals from the Indian power sector met with Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R. K. Singh, in New Delhi. This gathering was part of WePOWER SAR100, a program aiming to train 100 women professionals from Southeast Asia in the energy sector. Among the participants, 25 were from Bangladesh, 15 from Sri Lanka, 15 from Pakistan, 10 from Maldives, and 32 from various regions of India, many of whom held positions in government power sector PSUs, regulatory commissions, or energy departments. Notable figures present at the meeting included Secretary, Ministry of Power, Shri Pankaj Agarwal; Director General of the National Power Training Institute, Dr. Tripta Thakur; Principal Director of NPTI, Dr. Manju Mom; WePower World Bank Partnership Coordinator, Ms. Tanushree Bhowmik; and CMDs of power sector PSUs.

During the interaction, the 25 women professionals shared their experiences from the program, highlighting its role in providing them with global exposure to the power sector and introducing them to advanced technologies such as vertical solar panels, compressed-air energy storage, and ocean-based solar arrays. They also emphasized how the program enabled them to learn best practices from different countries and recognize their own potential. The Minister commended the participants, noting the success of the program.

Shri Singh urged for greater participation of women in engineering, emphasizing the need for ambitious goals, including aspiring to leadership positions like CMDs or Directors. He emphasized meritocracy in the workplace, stressing that ability, rather than gender, should determine advancement opportunities. Regarding the power sector’s evolution, the Minister highlighted the transition towards renewable energy, individual generation, and advancements in energy storage technologies.

Union Power Secretary Shri Pankaj Agarwal praised the significance of such training programs for career growth and expressed hope for their institutionalization to benefit the entire power sector workforce. Additionally, 32 women professionals from various states of India visited the National Power Training Institute (NPTI) Corporate Office in Faridabad during February 15 – 16, 2024, as part of the program’s activities.

WePOWER SAR100, led by the World Bank, aims to foster gender diversity in the power sector across South Asia, promoting women’s participation and challenging stereotypes in STEM education. Through a series of training modules, including online sessions and an upcoming on-campus event, the program seeks to equip women professionals with the necessary skills for regional integration and the transition to renewable technologies.