Engendering the Energy Transition: Inspiring Examples of Gender-Just Citizen Energy Communities in Europe

Despite the progress made, a gender gap still exists concerning female participation, visibility and representation in management and top-level positions in the energy field. According to a recent IRENA study, women represent only 32% of the renewable energy workforce and 22% of the oil and gas industry workforce. Considerable deficits in the engagement of women in community energy also exist, where male participation often rises to even 80%. Research has also shown significant gender differences in the average ownership rate, the average investment sum and leadership positions. While energy communities employ more women, they often struggle to attract female members, especially vulnerable women. In this context, the European cooperative energy movement wishes to increase its efforts to close the, still persisting, gender gap. This contribution focuses on inspiring examples from the European community energy context, such as female-led citizen energy cooperatives, gender-just citizen energy alliances and female-driven citizen solar photovoltaic installers, who illustrate alternative cultures, structures and practices that have the potential to radically transform the energy system. Recommendations for engendering the energy transition are also made.