Women in renewables gather in Belfast to advance leadership and career growth
More than 120 women working in renewable energy met in Belfast for RenewableNI’s annual Women in Renewables conference. The event covered leadership, visibility, mentoring and career advancement through a keynote, roundtables and a panel. RenewableNI also introduced a mentoring scheme and an online platform showcasing female role models in the sector.
The Belfast gathering was organized by RenewableNI with SONI as partner and Pinsent Masons as supporter. Attendees came from renewable energy roles across the UK and Ireland. Sessions addressed inclusion, career advancement, visibility and imposter syndrome, with a keynote by Joanna Denton and twelve roundtable discussions.
A panel included Steph Dunlop, Catherine Burns, Rachel Sankannawar and Dr Theresa Donaldson. RenewableNI also launched a mentoring initiative and an online Renewable Role Models platform. Some featured women have appeared in Northern Ireland Green Skills materials and a UK Clean Jobs report.
This event may help women in renewables build networks, confidence, and visibility, potentially improving access to leadership roles. Younger people considering energy careers could benefit from seeing varied female role models. Employers may gain from a broader talent pool as mentoring and recognition efforts expand. The impact may depend on whether such initiatives lead to sustained changes in hiring, retention, and promotion across the sector.