Renewables firm spotlights commitment to gender diversity

Having recognised that gender diversity fosters creativity and innovation, green energy supplier G7 Renewable Energies highlights the importance of harnessing the full spectrum of human skills across all its operations to garner positive socioeconomic outcomes.

G7 encourages women to take on visible roles in high-impact energy projects and industry events to increase their influence, highlighting this as a strategic imperative.

Excluding women means “missing out on half of the talent, insights and innovative potential of humankind”, the company says.

“Women’s voices and efforts are crucial in renewable energy because diverse perspectives drive innovation . . . increased representation inspires the next generation of female leaders,” G7 Renewable Energies chief project officer Karen de Bruyn explains.

G7 has taken several steps to accelerate women’s careers in their appointments to key leadership roles across various departments, including management.

This is done to ensure that women share their valuable input in decision-making processes, promoting a culture of inclusion and respect, while encouraging all members to share their ideas and actively pursue career advancement opportunities.

“Our company culture fosters a high-trust environment . . . owing to our diverse team and entrepreneurial roots. This means that if someone makes a mistake, we create a safe space for problem-solving: limiting fear of failure.”

Male Endorsement, Opportunities

De Bruyn indicates that men can increase their support for gender inclusion by actively mentoring female colleagues and advocating for gender-equal policies such as equal pay and creating a harmonious work-life balance.

Men should challenge biases and stereotypes that hinder women’s progress and create inclusive work environments where all contributions are valued, regardless of gender, she adds.

Despite the challenges, De Bruyn reflects on the opportunities she has had to advance her career in the renewable-energy sector, noting that being a woman has not held her back as she has always voiced her views and found that her opinions were valued during her interactions with various teams worldwide.

However, many women continue to find it challenging to “find their space” while juggling responsibilities and a highly demanding career.

Human Resources Contribution

G7 has implemented several initiatives to foster the development of women within its organisation. These include industry and executive mentoring, learning and development programmes, certifications, bursaries, and opportunities to attend conferences and workshops. Cross-department training and coaching programmes, such as emotional intelligence coaching, are also offered.

“We prioritise succession planning for special projects and specific career paths, often leading to promotions,” says G7 Renewable Energies human resources head Colette Kuhn. “Individual development plans are created based on psychometrics and feedback from midyear and [yearly] reviews, focusing on both soft and technical skills.”

Additionally, G7 provides a range of benefits to all employees, including wellness programmes, leave and sabbaticals, sports memberships, life coaching, referral bonuses, company and team celebrations, and performance bonuses. Kuhn proudly notes that the company has achieved 50% gender parity across all departments, including management.

G7 aims to ensure that women can balance being mothers and having successful careers by providing a fully hybrid work environment, including having a nursery environment at its new offices. Kuhn concludes that providing opportunities for women is ingrained in the company’s workplace culture and DNA.

By championing gender diversity, G7 Renewable Energies not only fosters innovation and creativity but also sets a powerful example for the renewable-energy sector and beyond.