18 Jul 2025
Renewable Power Caribbean Limited was proud to be a part of the Caribbean Women for Climate Justice (CW4CJ) Virtual Conference, "Sowing Seeds of Sustainable Solutions," held from July 17-19, 2025. Our very own Chief Customer Officer, Steffy Heera, delivered an insightful presentation on July 18th, sharing her expertise on female leadership and navigation within the renewable energy sector.
During Steffy Heera address, she discussed how women navigate leadership in the sustainable energy sector by blending technical expertise with collaborative approaches, driven by a commitment to sustainable development. She highlighted that women often bring unique perspectives, fostering inclusive decision-making, championing community-led initiatives, and ensuring social equity is central to climate solutions. Her insights underscored the importance of empowering women in the climate movement, recognizing that the impacts of climate change and the transition to sustainable energy affect genders differently.
Steffy acknowledged the systemic barriers women frequently encounter, such as unconscious bias, limited access to funding and networks, and a lack of visible female role models at the highest levels. To expand engagement at every level, she proposed a multi-faceted approach including early education and STEM promotion for girls, capacity building and skill development for women, and mentorship programs to connect aspiring women leaders with experienced professionals. She also emphasized the need for gender-responsive policies and regulatory frameworks, facilitating women's access to finance and resources for energy projects, and actively promoting and celebrating the achievements of women in the sustainable energy sector.
Steffy also delved into the deep relationship between energy and social/gender inequalities, even in energy-rich countries like Trinidad and Tobago. She explained that while most have access to electricity, its affordability significantly impacts daily lives, opportunities, and safety, especially for women in lower-income households. She highlighted "time poverty" due to limited access to modern energy sources, which hinders women's economic empowerment. Furthermore, she addressed the historical male dominance in the energy sector, which can lead to "gender-blind" energy policies and limits economic opportunities for women in technical roles.
A powerful example of renewable energy driving both economic opportunity and climate resilience for underrepresented groups was presented: a pioneering female-owned and female-managed eco-retreat on Trinidad's northern coast. Faced with an unreliable electricity grid, the owner invested in a solar power system with battery storage, ensuring consistent power. This investment transformed the local economic landscape by providing direct employment for local women, stimulating the local economy by sourcing from local farmers and fisherfolk, reducing operational costs, and enhancing tourism appeal. The retreat also contributes to climate resilience by reducing its carbon footprint, enhancing energy security during outages, and serving as a demonstration effect for clean energy adoption. This eco-retreat, through strategic adoption of renewable energy and visionary female leadership, has secured its own future and uplifted its community.
At RPC, we are deeply committed to our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. Our commitment to gender equality is reflected in our governance achieving 50% female leaders within our organization. We believe that diverse leadership, particularly with strong female representation, is crucial for driving innovation and achieving equitable solutions in the fight against climate change.
We wholeheartedly support women in their vital movement towards climate justice and are dedicated to fostering an environment where female leaders can thrive and contribute significantly to a resilient and sustainable Caribbean.