Women break the myth of energy as a “male” industry — new study

The Ukrainian charitable organization Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation has conducted the first nationwide study, “Barriers and challenges women face in transitioning to the solar energy sector.” Its findings dispel persistent stereotypes about the industry and knowledge surrounding it, while highlighting that barriers for women still remain.

At a time when Ukraine is facing regular large-scale attacks on its energy system and actively rebuilding afterward, the study by Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation, supported by Mercy Corps, offers a new perspective on the role of women in solar energy. A key finding: the stereotype that solar energy is an exclusively “male” field is losing relevance — only 6% of surveyed women agreed with this statement.

However, current statistics tell a different story: women account for only about 30% of the workforce in the solar energy sector, with even fewer in leadership roles. The barriers revealed by the study indicate that the problem is not women’s bias against the field, but rather structural limitations and informational gaps.

Why is this important for Ukraine today?

• National plan for 2030: 27% renewables in Ukraine’s energy mix by 2030.

• Inclusivity in focus: the state encourages women’s entry into “traditionally male” professions and emerging industries.

• Growing global market: worldwide investment in clean energy has for the first time exceeded $2 trillion, with renewables outpacing even the oil sector.

Ukraine is facing a labor shortage due to the war and its consequences — including in renewable energy. At the same time, the EU and other partners are investing billions in the country’s “green” recovery. Women’s involvement in this transformation is not only a matter of inclusion, but also of economic resilience and energy security.

Survey fndings: women with high professional potential

Most participants were women of established professional age (25–50+ years) with higher or specialized education. More than half, however, are currently in job search or temporary unemployment.

 Opportunities in the solar energy industry

Knowledge is low, interest is high

Awareness of solar energy among respondents remains critically low: 68% rated their knowledge at 0–3 out of 10, and 89% had no awareness of career or education opportunities in the sector.

At the same time, 46% said they would consider transitioning into solar energy if free training were available. This demonstrates openness to new opportunities, provided accessible education and clear career prospects.

Key barriers: lack of knowledge, support, and stability

The main obstacle cited was lack of knowledge about the sector (19%) and the shortage of publicly available information (14%).

Additional challenges include:

• consequences of war and emotional instability,

• difficulty balancing work and personal life,

• lack of confidence,

• absence of employer or mentorship support,

• limited access to training.

Stereotypes are not the main barrier

Despite the widespread perception of energy as a “male” industry, only 6% of participants considered gender bias to be a barrier to starting or advancing their career. This suggests that gender itself is not a decisive factor, although stereotypes still persist socially.

Education and support are the keys to engaging women

Respondents are open to retraining, but primarily expect free learning opportunities. The greatest interest lies in short-term practical programs with mentorship and community-building elements.

In terms of career focus, women most often consider management and support roles — project management, administration, communications, and logistics. Interest in technical professions is lower, which underlines the need to adapt training programs for candidates without prior technical background.

A systemic approach to industry growth

The study emphasizes that engaging women in solar energy requires a comprehensive strategy that combines accessible training, stronger visibility of the sector in public discourse, socio-economic stability, and institutional reforms at both the policy and employer level.

Recommendations to overcome barriers

The report calls for the development of training programs, support networks, mentoring initiatives, and the promotion of success stories of women in solar energy.

This will help attract more female professionals into a sector that is critical for Ukraine’s energy security.

The full report is available at:

RESEARCH RESULTS