The decentralized energy transformation is key in fulfilling the Paris Agreement. It also offers considerable potential for democratization and participation. The energy transformation is historically one of the greatest industrial revolutions in society and has led to a transition from a central energy system with vertically integrated utilities to a pluralistic energy system with technically millions of generation points and, as a result, a large variety of actors. Therefore all social forces must be mobilized for the long-term success of the energy transformation ensuring that this gigantic project can succeed.

However, there are indicators that women are less involved in the implementation of the energy transformation. Although women are very active in the climate and environmental movement, some figures indicate that they are underrepresented in the technical implementation of the energy transformation and as investors in renewable energy projects. This also applies to female involvement in community energy, despite the generally relatively low-threshold for participation. This fact cannot simply be explained with a lack of interest, as it is in stark contrast with the strong role of women in the climate and environmental movement, rather the reasons have to be analysed systematically.

The World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) and the Association for Renewable Energy of the German State North Rhine-Westphalia (LEE NRW) have therefore started a joint research project (funded by the Stiftung Umwelt & Entwicklung NRW) in order to analyse the situation and eventually in order to show ways in which the actual role of women in community energy can be raised.

In order to get a better understanding of the general conditions and correlations, similar data will be collected in Japan, with a focus on the prefecture Fukushima. The Japan Community Power Network, a close partner of WWEA for many years, will simultaneously send out the questionnaires in Fukushima, which was affected by the nuclear accident but which has today a vibrant community energy sector with a large number of community energy initiatives. The purpose of this international comparison is to get a first understanding of how far the situation in Germany is similar to other (world) regions, and also in order to develop additional options for action.

The dimension of the problem can be well described with a few figures: In 2018, the executive boards of the German energy industry comprised only 5% women, and only 7% of the German energy industry management were female (PwC Deutschland 2018). In 2014, 19,9% of management positions in the field of renewable energies in Germany were held by women. So here, too, it was far from parity (PwC Deutschland 2014). Considerable deficits in the participation of women have also been identified in the case of community energy. A survey from 2012 found a male participation rate of up to 80% (Fraune 2018). 93% of the respondents in the survey stated that their main personal motivation for their involvement in community energy were ecological causes, followed by the idea of “energy in the hands of the citizen” (82% agreed) (Radtke 2016). In this light, it becomes clear that there is an urgent need to understand why women, despite their commitment to climate policy, are clearly underrepresented in German community energy.

Upcoming events:

7 April 2022: WWEA and LEE NRW will host the 6th International Community Wind Symposium “Mehr Frauen-Power in der Bürgerenergie”

June 2022: Launch of the concluding project report.

Past events:

12 July 2021: Launch first report – Press conference

Frauen in der Bürgerenergie – Durch Offenheit zur Vielfalt” (First project report in German language)
Launch of the report – Press Conference
WWEA-LEE NRW-Pressegespräch und Vorstellung der Studie “Frauen in der Bürgerenergie” (recording)
Press Release (German Language)
Presentation slides (German Language)

3 March 2021: WWEA and LEE NRW will host the 5th International Community Wind Symposium “Men and women in community energy – diversity or simplicity” in Bonn (presentations available for download)

19 November 2020: WWEA will host a webinar on “Women in Community Energy” (recordings available)

The project will be divided into two phases: In the first year, it will be analysed to what extent and why women are underrepresented in community energy, based on an empirical survey. In the second year, instruments and recommendations are to be developed on how the participation of women in community energy can be increased in the future. The core of the study are empirical surveys amongst community energy organizations in Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia) and in parallel in Japan. The obtained data and conclusions will be processed in a way that they can later be generalized for a broader context. The quantitative survey is carried out in two parts: In the first questionnaire, the community energy companies are asked about their gender-specific structures, in the second questionnaire the members / individuals are asked.

Following this quantitative analysis, personal and qualitative interviews with community energy experts will take place in order to deepen the understanding gained from the empirical data. In the second project year, recommendations and instruments will be developed in a similar way, based on an online survey and later on personal interviews.

An advisory board has been set up to provide additional expert input. The board consists of national and international experts who have already, from various angles, practical experience in furthering the participation of women in the renewable energy. Naturally, the research team will also undertake a comprehensive evaluation of literature.

Every year, a project symposium is held in which the results of the ongoing research are presented and discussed with national and international experts.

The conclusions of the research are published every year in form of a project report, both in German and in English. By comparing the German and Japanese data and conclusions, the study is expected to achieve significance beyond those two countries. Accordingly, the project is aimed at those involved in the energy transformation in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Japan and ultimately worldwide; above all decision-makers in governments, lawmakers, associations, community energy, municipal utilities and similar investors. In addition, the project is also aimed at the general public, who should be informed about the project results at the end.

- WWEA_Women_in_Community_Power
- Frauen in der Bürgerenergie – Durch Offenheit zur Vielfalt” (First project report in German language)
- Press release – Launch of the first report (German Language)
- Presentation slides – first report (German Language)
- First results of a survey of community energy entities in Germany and Japan
- WWEA and LEE NRW present guidelines for improved participation of women in community energy
- Die komplette Studie in Deutsch
- Final results of the study in English

International

Adib, Rana (REN21)
Iida, Tetsunari (ISEP (Institute for Sustainable Energy Policy))
Ferroukhi, Rabia (IRENA)
Motosu, Memi (Japan Community Power Network and Nagoya University)
Lins, Christine (Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition)
Walsh, Molly (Friends of the Earth Europe)

National

André, Krisztina (Bündnis Bürgerenergie)
Grashof, Katherina (IZES (Institut für ZukunftsEnergie- und Stoffstromsysteme))
Habersbrunner, Katharina (Women Engage for a Common Future Deutschland)
Ruppert, Verena (LaNEG (Landesnetzwerk der BürgerEnergieGenossenschaften))

North Rhine-Westphalia

Bredemann, Claudia ( Fachagentur Windenergie an Land)
Günter, Amina (Netzwerk Energiewende Jetzt e.V.)
Korhammer, Susanne (Windfang eG)
Petersen, Beate (Bündnis Bürgerenergie)

Supporters

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