Women in Energy France - unlocking the Full Power of the Energy Transition

With Federica Martufi - ELECTRA Editorial Board CIGRE Women In Energy, & Laurie-Anne Clément Charpentier - Chair of Women in Energy (WiE) France

As France accelerates its energy transition, one truth becomes increasingly clear: no sector can reinvent itself without fully harnessing the diversity of its talent. The shift toward greater electrification, digitalisation, and decarbonisation calls not only for technological innovation, but also for inclusive leadership and cultural transformation. Women in Energy France was established to answer this call, championing gender diversity and professional empowerment at a moment when the sector needs it most.

A year of impact and inspiration

“2025 was a very active and meaningful year for our network - Clément Charpentier begins -. Our goal is to create a space where women can grow, lead, and contribute to the energy transition, not only by participating in technical discussions, but also by influencing how the sector evolves”. Throughout the 2025, WiE France launched a series of high-level webinars and events, featuring leaders from across the energy industry. Among them was a powerful session with Yara Chakhtoura, President of Siemens Energy SAS & Siemens Gamesa Renewable France. “She shared insights on what it means to lead in times of transformation - says Chief of WiE France -. It was both empowering and practical, exactly what we wanted to offer”. The network also deepened its international collaborations. A March exchange with Women in Nuclear Italy, led by Céline Conreau and Aurora Pinto, brought together two communities committed to diversity in energy. “These connections help us learn from each other and grow stronger as a global network” she notes.

Empowering future generations

One of the most striking events of the year took place in April 2025, with the panel “Regards croisés de femmes: évoluer dans le secteur de l’énergie en Europe” featuring voices from different countries and backgrounds. “We even received a video message from Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy - Clément Charpentier recalls-. That kind of recognition gives a strong message to young professionals: your voice matters!”. In May and June, attention turned to specific sectors and future talent. The WATTer project on offshore wind, and a special session dedicated to alternates and apprentices, highlighted the role of emerging professionals. “We wanted to show that every career path is valuable, and that inclusion starts from the beginning”.

From numbers to narratives

In October 2025, Women in Energy France took part in the Colloque National du Féminin (CNF), hosted at the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) in Lyon, a key moment to reflect on gender representation in the energy sector. 

During the session, attention was drawn to concrete progress: the proportion of women participating in the CNF conference rose from 11.59% in 2020 to 14.80% in 2025. But while data is essential to track progress, it’s the human stories that truly inspire change. “Beyond the numbers, it’s the stories that make the difference - Clément Charpentier -. When women see someone like them speaking on a panel or leading a project, they start to picture themselves there too. Visibility creates possibility”. At CNF, the WiE France delegation shared concrete examples of women in strategic and technical roles within major companies like RTE (Réseau de Transport d'Électricité) and EDF (Électricité de France), highlighting both the challenges and the tangible steps being taken to build more inclusive workplaces. By bringing real voices to the forefront, the session helped shift the focus from representation as a target to inclusion as a shared, transformative goal.

Building bridges and visibility

A core mission of Women in Energy France is to make the contributions of women in the energy sector visible, not only at the top, but across all roles and career stages: engineers, project managers, researchers, operators and executives. “Representation is not just about presence - explains Clément Charpentier -, it’s about being seen, heard, and valued for your expertise and leadership”.  Visibility, in this sense, becomes both a tool and a message: it breaks down isolation and builds aspiration. To expand this impact, WiE France is now strengthening its outreach to schools and universities. The goal is to encourage young people, especially young women, to consider careers in energy by showing them tangible examples of what’s possible. “We need to dismantle outdated stereotypes and show students that the energy sector is not only innovative and future-oriented, but also full of meaningful and impactful careers - she adds -. This means partnering with educators, engaging with early-career professionals, and amplifying success stories that reflect the sector’s diversity and potential”. By building bridges between generations, institutions, and disciplines, WiE France is fostering a culture where talent can thrive and where every voice has the power to shape the energy transition.

What’s next for WiE France?

As the energy sector undergoes a historic transformation, WiE France is ready to play a central role. “We plan to continue our webinar series, expand our partnerships, and create new opportunities for mentorship and development - Clément Charpentie says -. The network is also exploring new formats to make participation easier. Not everyone can attend every event, so we want to offer content that’s accessible, flexible, and inspiring: short interviews, videos, or articles that keep people connected”.

Through visibility, community, and action, Women in Energy France is helping to unlock the full potential of the sector’s talent. “We’re not just adding women to the conversation, we’re changing the conversation itself” she concludes. By sharing stories, building networks, and promoting inclusive leadership, WiE France is helping to ensure that women are not just participants in the energy transition, but key architects of it.