Renewable Energy Association Sierra Leone (REASL) in collaboration with Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) with support from Orange Sierra Leone held “Women in Renewable Energy Sierra Leone Conference 2024” on the theme: Empowering Women, Energizing Sustainable Development at Sierra Palms Resort, Aberdeen Beach in Freetown.

The conference brought together key stakeholders in the energy sector predominantly female experts and students aimed at increasing women’s participation and advocacy for energy efficient.
Speaking at the conference, REASL President, Muctarr Turay said the conference serves as a platform to celebrate the achievement of women working in renewable energy and to empower them to reach even greater heights in their careers.

According to him, through panel discussions, keynote speeches and networking opportunities, the aim is to foster an environment of collaboration, mentorship and support that will enable women to thrive in this dynamic industry.

The President said the conference follows a two day training session on energy sector women leadership initiative training, underscoring the commitment to providing women with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to succeed in leadership roles within the energy sector.

“ As REASL, we are deeply committed to advancing the role of women in the renewable energy sector. Women have always been at the forefront of driving positive change and innovation, and it is essential that we harness their talents and contributions to accelerate the transition to clean, renewable energy sources. Together, let us energize sustainable development by empowering women in renewable energy” he averred.

Chief of Party, USAID & Power Africa, Adaku Ufere reiterated that progress on sustainable clean energy cannot happen without women in leadership roles because women in power will power the continent.
According to him, the inclusion of women in the renewable energy sector not only enriches the field with diverse perspectives but is also a catalyst for innovation and heightened return on investment.

She said her organization has been actively implementing programming to reducing gender disparities both in how women receive access to energy and how women participate in the energy sector workforce.

Giving the keynote address, Millennium Challenge Coordinating Unit Representative, Madam N’deye Fatu Koroma disclosed that there is a real opportunity now to leverage the just energy transition roadmap that is being developed by government to entrench the role of women as agents and partners for energy transition.

According to her, it is crystal clear that strategies employed thus far to increase energy access have saddled the sector with rising debt and unreliable and costly power supply that is stifling economic sector.

She said the transition to renewable energy sources is creating job pipelines in the energy space that are calling for more diverse skills especially in the area of business development to support female entrepreneurs that can deliver renewable energy products to fill in important gaps that the traditional grid or mini grids cannot respond to, such as clean cooking options.

The MCC Boss underscored the importance for women to be counted in emerging areas like renewable energy to inform resource allocation.