Top Female Leaders in the Energy Industry

This March, celebrate Women’s History Month by learning about female leaders in the energy industry.

Written by Dominique Coury

Edited by Hannah Whatley

Last updated March 4, 2026

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• Women account for only 26% of the workforce in the energy sector.
• Despite the gender gap, women have historically contributed to advancing technology in the energy field.
• There are growing opportunities for careers in wind, solar, and engineering fields.

Women in energy

Unfortunately, the studies and surveys referenced in this article did not include or reference participants who identify as transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, agender, or genderless.

The energy industry still has a long way to go regarding equal gender representation. Female-identifying workers make up about 26% of the workforce in the power sector, a significant discrepancy considering women account for 47% of the total national workforce.

The following are some important statistics about women of renewable industries and sustainable energy workplaces.

• A 2025 survey from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) found that 68% of respondents believed men are paid more than their female counterparts, though organizations were less likely to admit to this gap, at 32%.
• Female senior managers or board members in the energy sector make up only 19% of the total workforce.
• The primary role reported for female workers in energy is administrative, accounting for 45% of full-time employment positions.

While the gender gap has improved over the decades, there is still room for greater diversity in the energy industry. That said, it’s important to point out that women have already made significant contributions to the energy sector. SaveOnEnergy celebrates the accomplishments of women in the energy industry.

Women’s History Month 2026

March is Women’s History Month — a perfect time to celebrate the achievements of women in the energy sector. Despite historically accounting for a smaller percentage of the workforce, women have broken ground as leaders in the energy industry throughout the years.

The U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) highlights many female leaders and innovators in the energy industry throughout history. These women contributed to the growth of the energy field, and their work helped create a promising future of innovation. Here’s a quick recap of women’s important efforts in the energy industry over time.

• Eunice Foote: In the 1850s, Foote’s experiments with atmospheric gases led to the discovery of the greenhouse effect. One of Foote’s male colleagues presented her findings in 1856, and Foote did not receive credit for her research until 2011.
• Edith Clark: In the 1920s, Clark introduced a calculator that transformed electric grid technology. She was also involved in the development of the Hoover Dam’s hydropower turbines and was the first female recipient of a master’s degree in electrical engineering from MIT.
• Mária Telkes: In the 1930s, Telkes’ research into solar technology led to her invention of a solar-powered desalination kit to make seawater drinkable for pilots and sailors during World War II. She later made many other significant contributions to the solar industry, including creating a solar-powered home heating system.
• Katharine Burr Blodgett: In 1938, Blodgett invented a nonreflective, transparent glass, which was incorporated into both solar panels and LED bulbs to increase efficiency and conductivity. She was also the first female scientist at GE’s research labs and the first female Ph.D. recipient in physics from Cambridge.
• Donna Fitzpatrick: Fitzpatrick became the first female under secretary of energy at the U.S. Department of Energy in 1988.

Women continue to drive the energy sector forward. From improving the electrical grid to developing new batteries for electric vehicles, there’s no shortage of female innovators to celebrate this March.

Top energy careers for female workers

The renewable energy industry has a larger share of female workers than the overall energy industry. According to the IRENA, women hold about 32% of full-time renewable energy jobs. Job opportunities in renewables are an excellent avenue for women who want to be part of developing a cleaner energy future.

Advancements in wind and solar energy are an exciting opportunity to improve the gender gap. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine service technicians and solar photovoltaic installers will have the highest employment growth out of the total national workforce, at 50% and 42% growth, respectively.

Other energy careers for women

Renewable energy is not the only industry booming with high-growth opportunities for women. Engineering roles are a steadfast option in the energy industry, with various types of engineers being a vital part of the field’s growth and development. Explore a few of these roles:

• Civil engineers design and manage energy-efficient infrastructure, including building transmission lines, researching environmental impact, and overseeing project financing.
• Energy engineers create solutions to energy consumption. This involves developing energy-efficient technologies to lower consumption and researching areas for improvement.
• Environmental engineers assess the environmental impacts of energy projects such as power plants, transmission systems, or pipelines. They may also design and execute projects to promote sustainable energy solutions.

Scholarship opportunities

Women interested in expanding their education in energy and other STEM fields can apply for a variety of scholarships. BestColleges.com offers a list of scholarships specifically designed for women interested in STEM.

Breaking barriers in the energy industry

While women tend to make up less of the workforce in the energy sector, they have consistently contributed to advancing energy technology throughout history and into the present day. Female scientists in electricity have opened doors for future leaders, narrowed the gender gap, created invaluable research, and pushed the boundaries of the power sector.