New Delhi: A group of 25 mid-career women professionals from the Indian power sector, part of the WePOWER SAR100 training program, met with Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R. K. Singh, in New Delhi on February 15, 2024. WePOWER SAR100 is a series of training sessions designed for 100 women professionals from the Southeast Asian region in the energy sector, aiming to create a gender-diverse pool of experts in the power industry.
The participants, hailing from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, and various parts of India, primarily work in central or state government power sector PSUs, regulatory commissions, or energy departments. During the meeting, the women shared their experiences from the program, emphasizing the global exposure to cutting-edge technologies and best practices in the power sector.
Shri R. K. Singh commended the women professionals, stating that the interaction showed the success of the program. He urged them to set ambitious goals, emphasizing that gender should not limit professional growth. The Minister encouraged the participants to aspire to become Chief Managing Directors (CMDs) or Directors, stressing the need for higher representation of women in leadership roles.
Addressing the dynamic changes in the power sector, Shri Singh highlighted the shift towards renewable energy, individual generation, and advancements in energy storage. He emphasized the importance of continued professional development and the need for women to play a significant role in steering the sector’s transformation.
Union Power Secretary Shri Pankaj Agarwal praised the training program, emphasizing its importance in career growth. He expressed hope for the institutionalization of such initiatives to benefit professionals across the entire power sector.
As part of their two-day visit, the women professionals toured the National Power Training Institute (NPTI) in Faridabad, gaining insights into the control and operation of thermal power plants. The participants will also visit the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gurugram, and the National Load Despatch Centre, New Delhi.
Dr. Tripta Thakur, Director General of NPTI, hailed the women as living examples of empowerment, highlighting the changing landscape where women are actively participating in technical fields.
The WePOWER SAR100 program, led by the World Bank, aims to create a gender-diverse expert pool for planning, developing, and operating regionally integrated grids, power systems, and markets in the South Asian region. The program focuses on renewable energy integration, power markets, and addressing gender bias, fostering a holistic approach to the power sector’s future. The training series, comprising 10 modules delivered online since July 2023, will conclude with a one-week on-campus capstone event at the Asian Institute of Technology from March 4 to 8, 2024.