As the global push for clean energy intensifies, India stands at the forefront of an ambitious energy transition. However, despite the sector’s rapid growth, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership, technical, and policy-making roles. The absence of gender diversity is not just a social concern—it limits innovation, economic potential, and the overall effectiveness of the energy transition. Recognizing this, there is an urgent need for targeted interventions that empower women to participate meaningfully in shaping India’s energy future. 

The “Framework for Enhancing Women’s Participation in the Indian Energy Sector” addresses this challenge by examining existing gender-focused policies, identifying key barriers, and providing actionable recommendations to foster inclusivity. The report is informed by extensive research, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagements with students, professionals, industry leaders, and policymakers. It highlights critical areas such as education and skill development, recruitment practices, workplace policies, and leadership opportunities that need reform to create a more balanced and diverse energy workforce, importantly it highlights how ‘whole of society approach’ can transform ideas to action. 

The impact of this initiative extends beyond the report itself. The Energy Dozen initiative, a key outcome of the project, will spotlight inspiring women professionals in the energy sector, creating role models for future generations. In particular, each women expert within the Energy Dozen showcases the diversity of skills needed to aid in India’s energy transition. This initiative isn’t just about empowering women—it’s about building a community that is inclusive, integrating across the varies silos of the energy sector and to drive innovation. 

This initiative is a follow-up of the work undertaken by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy wherein a women-centric session was organised at the RE-Invest in September 2024 together with other development partners actively mainstreaming gender in energy activities through their various programmes. The outcomes and recommendations from this session would be taken forward through this network to collectively drive impact.

Event Agenda:

13.15 – 13.45: Smart Grid Lab Technical Tour (optional) 

14:00-14:05: Welcome remarks by FSR Global

14:05-14:10: Opening remarks by Ewa Suwara | Deputy Head of Delegation, European Union Delegation to India and Bhutan

14:10-14:25: Setting the scene – Brief introductions to the project and its outcomes 

14:25-14:30: Special Remarks by Ammi Topo | Central Electricity Authority 

14:30-15:30:

Panel Discussion – I: India’s energy transition – integration, innovation and inclusion

Moderator: Ms. Ashwini Chitnis | WRI (*TBC)

Speakers:

• • Ms. Padmaja Tiwari | Siemens 

• • Ms. Sheetal Rastogi | Finovista 

• • Ms. Deepti Dutt | World Bank 

• • Dr. Kaveri Iychettira | Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi 

• • Ms. Swati Chowdhary | Women’s World Banking 

Q&A with the Audience

15:30-15:35: Energy Dozen Video Presentation

15:35-16:35:

Panel discussion – II: Leveraging synergies across various women centric programs for cohesive collective action

Moderator: Ms. Mani Khurana | World Bank 

Speakers:  

• • Ms. Sanyukta Samaddar | Government of Uttar Pradesh 

• • Dr. Shivani Sharma | IEEMA, IEEE PES – Hitachi Energy 

• • Ms. Kiran Gupta | WePower – Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited 

• • Ms. Smita Singh | European Delegation to India and Bhutan 

• • Ms. Nidhi Khare | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (*TBC) 

Q&A with the audience

16:35-16:45: Key takeaways for our cohesive collective action by Swetha Ravi Kumar | FSR Global

16:45-16:55: Open room – call for action by UN Women/UN Women Ambassadors (*TBC)

16:55-17:00: Closing remarks by Delphine Brissonneau | European Delegation to India and Bhutan

17:00-18:00:Networking with energy professionals (refreshments will be served)

*TBC – To Be Confirmed