This week, women in Solar Europe (Wisu) give a voice to Elodie Colliard, director of the Green Giraf of Switzerland. She explained that she encountered her fair share of gender -based assumptions and prejudices. “Although the inequalities remain clear and women are still a minority, I comfort myself to see more of us coming to the industry, to bring our skills and perspectives to the table,” she explains.
When I started my career in renewable energy more than ten years ago, I quickly noticed something that stands out. The industry was almost completely black and white – literally. At my first conferences in Europe, the rooms were filled with men in black suits and white shirts. And these men were almost all white middle -aged professionals. I often felt like a strange ball, who had difficulty relating to and talking in an environment where I was so visible.
The scene has changed over the years, albeit gradually. Nowadays I see more colors – including green, blue, red – as more women enter these spaces. Although the differences remain clear and women are still a minority, I comfort myself to see more of us join the industry, so that our skills and perspectives are brought to the table.
Like many women in this area, I have encountered my fair share of gender -based assumptions and prejudices. Especially an incident stands out. As a transaction project manager I led a critical meeting with my team, our supervisor and the customer. I was the only woman in the room. Just before we started, my supervisor asked me to prepare coffee for the customer. I was not happy with it, but I did it. However, what really upset me was that by the time I returned, they had started the meeting without me. As a project manager I had to lead that discussion. Instead, I came in to find important decisions that were already taken in my absence. It was very disrespectful and I very much doubt that this would have happened if I was a man.
This experience strengthened my dedication to ensure that everyone has a voice, regardless of gender, seniority or background. As a manager I strive to create an environment where different perspectives are heard and appreciated. It requires intentional leadership and continuous efforts to step away from pre -set ideas and cooperation instead of encouraging competition at all times. I believe that competition sometimes takes too much space in our companies and that teams and companies can benefit from more diversity, celebration and cooperation.
When I was younger, I rarely paid attention to company policy that goes beyond salary and job descriptions. As my career progressed, however, I realized how crucial certain policy measures are, especially for women who want to build long -term careers while they balance family life. Flexible work schemes, paid maternity leave and support for childcare can make a world of difference. Companies that implement this policy not only attract more diverse talent, but also retain it. Without being these structures, too many talented women are put aside or forced to choose between their career and their families.
Male allies also play a crucial role in breaking down barriers. I was lucky to have supporting male managers throughout my career. They pushed me to focus higher, not because I was a woman, but because they believed in my capacities. This kind of intentional encouragement is invaluable. By guiding, advocating and recognizing women for their skills and contributions, they help create a more inclusive and fair industry.
Despite the challenges, I believe that the industry of solar and renewable energy in general is in a good position to be a leader in diversity, fairness and inclusion. I would like to believe that many companies in the industry are ‘targeted’ with real values in terms of sustainability and environmental justice. And behind these companies, many individuals acknowledge that a “just” transfer goes hand in hand with social responsibility and staff EDI. Another argument is that renewable energy is one of the fastest growing sectors worldwide, so that we all create opportunities, diverse talent to enter and shape the industry.
For young women who participate in the renewable energy sector, my advice is this: recognize your strengths and don’t be afraid to use them. Many of us have high emotional intelligence and strong soft skills that are invaluable in leadership roles. Let’s also stop believing that only hard work will give us the recognition we earn. It is important to do a great job, but it is just as essential to ensure that we are seen and heard. Learn by navigating the existing system before trying to change it. Play strategically according to the rules and then work to reform them.
The industry of renewable energy has a long way to go to achieve gender equality, but the progress cannot be denied. By promoting including leadership, advocating policy at work that supports diverse talent and enables women to step into leadership roles, we can build a more inclusive future. The sector evolves, and as more women withdraw – spend with them, not only expertise, but a richer palette of perspectives – we prove that the future of renewable energy is not only green. It is red, blue and every color in between.
Elodie is director at Green Giraffe Advisory, a leading financial advisor for energy transition projects and investors. At the beginning of 2016, she came to the company in London and since then Elodie has gained extensive experience in a wide range of the more traditional sectors for renewable energy generations (onshore wind, solar energy, etc.) and emerging technologies that are vital for the broader energy transition, such as battery storage. She focuses on leading financial advisory transactions in Europe and on the global markets of Green Giraffe. This includes the origin of new leads, project management transactions from kick -off to financial closure and coordinating various capital providers. Elodie’s experience includes buy-side and sales to the sale and M&A advice, green and brownfield debts and increasing development capital in the energy transition spectrum. Before she came to Green Giraf, she worked as a financial analyst at Alquity IM, an asset manager who specializes in responsible investments in emerging markets. Before that she spent a year in Paris within the sustainable banking team of Credit Agricole CIB, working on the emission of green bonds and as a junior auditor. Elodie has an MSC in business financing from Audencia Business School, Nantes (France).
Interested in becoming a member Elodie Colliard And other leaders and experts in the industry at women in Solar Europe? More information: www.wiseu.network
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