North west: The future of the renewable energy sector is female and Electricity and Energy Deputy Minister, Samantha Graham-Mar©, is doubling down to make it happen.

According to South African Government News Agency, in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Empowering Women in Energy breakfast, Graham-Mar© revealed plans to review the department's gender strategy to make it better equipped to shatter barriers and catapult women into leadership roles across electricity, renewables, and previously uncharted fields like green hydrogen. The event was held as part of the third G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) in the North West.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that the sector is one of the least gender diverse, with women making up less than 20% of the workforce worldwide, while also earning at least 15% less than their male counterparts. Meaningfully changing that, according to Graham-Mar©, begins with getting young women enthusiastic about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with a view of entering the sector.

The department will be partnering with organizations to reach those youth and conduct roadshows at universities. Graham-Mar© emphasized that for the industry to grow and create new jobs, the government must do its part by ensuring that the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is properly implemented and creating a pipeline of projects that will generate employment opportunities.

A strong focus will also be placed on skills development within the sector. Graham-Mar© highlighted the need for reskilling and upskilling, as well as transitioning individuals from a coal-based economy to the renewable sector and the green economy, emphasizing the new opportunities that the renewable sector offers.

Reflecting on her own journey as Deputy Minister in a male-dominated sector, Graham-Mar© expressed admiration for the "incredible women" working in the energy space. She noted that the emergence of green hydrogen as a new development within the energy space has allowed women to take ownership without facing traditional gender barriers.

The Deputy Minister acknowledged that there is "always room for improvement," but assured that women are making significant strides in the energy sector and expressed her commitment to supporting their continued success.