According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, a third of the 11.5 million people working in the renewable energy sector are women. As one of the fastest growing sectors in the world, renewable energy not only addresses the climate crisis, but it has the potential to drive socio-economic benefits. From providing rural communities with new job opportunities, to increasing the affordability of electricity, renewables such as solar photovoltaic technology and hydropower have spurred economic growth and directly addressed employment and energy gaps. In this article, Mercom Clean Energy Insights presents statistics on this fast-growing sector and argues that energy development policies should continue to pursue equitable employment, include women workers, and uplift marginalized communities. Photo Credit: MERCOM Clean Energy Insights
