I begin this
letter with a very special memory, one that still fills me with calm and
gratitude. It was August 12, 2025, during a time when I decided to disconnect
from the usual and reconnect with myself: with my dreams, with the present,
with my plans, and with the desire to keep creating something beautiful for
this network.
I go back to the
northern coast of Spain. It was early, seven in the morning on a cloudy day.
The sun had not yet risen; it seemed undecided, as if it were in no hurry after
so many days of intense light. I walked along the shoreline for more than half
an hour, feeling the dampness in the air and listening to the breaking waves.
And then, suddenly, the sun began to appear: a vibrant neon orange that painted
the sky in soft pastel colors, wrapping everything in an indescribable peace.
At that moment, I
was in a rush to return home after finishing my daily exercise. But something
stopped me. I felt the need to pause, to sit and witness that moment. To be
honest, I don’t remember the last time I watched a sunrise with so much
emotion; perhaps when I was a child. I stayed there for a few minutes. Minutes
that meant everything: they reminded me that I can stop, that it is beautiful
to inhabit the present, to feel the air I breathe, to listen to the breeze, and
to let myself be embraced by the scenery around me.
The Sun is the
only star in our solar system. Its gravity holds the planets together, and its
light and energy make life on Earth possible. Situated at the center of the
solar system, it has been worshiped as a deity by numerous cultures throughout
history.
It was thanks to
that sunrise that I clearly understood something profound. In those seemingly
insignificant minutes, the need to write this letter was born in me, to share
how Energy from Women came to be, interwoven with my story so that you
could understand the origin of this network. That space for reflection
confirmed to me that every decision and every step I have taken has had a
purpose, even when I doubted whether I was doing the right thing or truly
following what I wanted. Choosing to study engineering, specializing in
energy—and more specifically in renewable and solar energy—recognizing myself
as a solar woman and remembering the strength of that star that moves the
world, were decisions that, with time, revealed themselves as fundamental.
I hybridized my
profile to go beyond the technical, seeking to influence change through public
policy. This allowed me to face situations that awakened in me the need to
generate knowledge, mature professionally, continue learning, as well as to
make visible the role of women in my field: sustainable energy and climate
action. It was in that process that I understood my experience could transform
into a driving force for change, both personal and collective.
That same
strength is reflected today in Energy from Women, also known as La
Energía de las Mujeres: a unique and powerful energy capable of
transforming lives. We wanted to transmit this in our logo—and I say “we”
because its creator, the artist John Mendieta, a lifelong friend, put all his
affection and enthusiasm into both the first design and this renewed version.
The logo, designed to be clear and meaningful, integrates shapes and colors
that represent the sun, the wind, and sustainability, symbols that include and
unite us all. With that same spirit, I dedicate these words to you, volunteer
of this network: thanks to your commitment, your knowledge, and your energy,
you contribute every day to improving the lives of many people.
If you are new to
the network or have been walking with us from the beginning, I want to remind
you how we started. In 2021, during the days of isolation caused by the
pandemic, Energy from Women was born. In that global pause, I felt that
women had the ability to change things and that they needed to have a voice. It
was urgent to talk about energy, yes, but also about humanity, justice, and
equity. It began as a blog, which gradually transformed into a women’s network.
More than four years have passed, and most have stayed. I believe this is
because they have found motivation, purpose, and community here.
It was shortly
before outlining Energy from Women—in Regensburg, Germany—that I met
Tatiana Vásquez, our leader for Latin America and the Caribbean. I had the
fortune of meeting her in a project we did together, designing a portfolio of
public policies for energy in remote areas of Colombia. Since then, a
connection arose: we shared vision, values, passion for rural electrification,
and many things in common. When I began Energy from Women, I invited
Tatiana to share her professional story. I had been inspired by her journey and
felt it valuable to make it visible so that it could inspire more women.
Curiously, Tatiana and I have yet to meet in person, but we feel like lifelong
friends. I couldn’t have a better colleague.
As Energy from
Women took shape, some of you began asking me to be part of “the network,”
when in fact that hadn’t been the initial purpose. I even asked myself: “What
network?”… But I understood that there was a need to connect and interact.
Thinking about how to bring that space to life, we got here. In that process, I
saw in Tatiana a great partner to share the network leadership and proposed:
“Let’s drive Energy from Women together.” And here we are, still today.
Today, we are
more than forty members. We have grown slowly and intentionally, with the goal
of being a true network: close, built on trust and mutual support. We are
learning by doing, creating a roadmap little by little, because if we want to
generate real impact, we must adapt to people, especially women, to foster
empowerment and ensure they are visible in decision-making spaces, contributing
their knowledge and strength. That takes time, and we have learned there are no
fixed rules: we learn along the way, we adapt, and that is how we achieve
tangible results. We are not about indicators; we are about real outcomes.
The joy we feel
in seeing each of you evolve, shining in spaces where it is about carrying the
message of equality and equity, generating impact, being witnesses of your
emotions and confidants of your dreams, fills us with energy and inspires us to
continue contributing and growing together in sisterhood.
Over time, we
have lived moments of calm and moments of momentum. Keeping this community
alive requires energy, and for a while mine was directed elsewhere. During that
time, beautiful things happened. One of the most significant of my life: the
arrival of my son. His birth reactivated my desire to mobilize the network, to
grow, to do things together, and to get to know each other more deeply.
That experience
awakened in me an energy and a will to keep contributing that I didn’t even
know I had. Because, like many of you, I have also gone through moments of
doubt, sadness, and frustration, thinking that what I had achieved meant
nothing, and even facing voices that made me question my worth.
That is why I
say: what has happened to you has also happened to me.
Shortly after,
something very special occurred: Forbes Ec published my professional
story and included a valuable reference to Energy from Women. That
recognition reminded me, once again, of the strength and goals that drive us
together. It made me understand even more the importance of timing, of doing
things with love and gratitude.
Seeing my story
within their chapter “Inspiring Movement,” and that in just a few days—since
its publication on June 11, 2025—it became one of the most-read stories, was
confirmation that we are on the right path.
And while all
that was happening, my home country, Ecuador, was going through an
unprecedented energy crisis. In 2024, an extreme drought emptied the reservoirs
that power our hydroelectric plants, which generate more than 70% of our
electricity. The economy suffered, and the most vulnerable—small businesses,
children without access to virtual education, hospitals with limited
resources—were the hardest hit.
This crisis
reminded me that we need more resilient and inclusive solutions, and that it is
essential to ask ourselves: Where are women when these responses are being
designed? Where are their voices, their knowledge, their proposals?
In Energy from
Women, our values—diversity and collective strength—pushed us to take a
step further. From these reflections, we expanded our scope: in addition to
energy, we incorporated climate action as a central pillar, understanding that
a just energy transition requires not only technology, but also adaptation,
mitigation, and resilience in territories and in people’s lives.
That is why today, in Energy from Women, we work with two major human objectives:
a) To make visible professional women in different areas of knowledge so they can influence decisions, policies, projects, and contribute transformative ideas and knowledge.
b) To make visible women in vulnerable environments who fight every day for the well-being of their families and communities.
But much remains
to be done. Some figures invite reflection: women’s participation in the global
energy industry is limited to 32%. Of that total, nearly 40% are in renewables,
while only about 20% are in oil and gas. In addition, women earn on average 17%
less than men.
In Latin America
and the Caribbean, for example, only 26% of the energy sector workforce is made
up of women. Although women represent 60% of higher education graduates, only
about 30% choose and complete STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics).
It is true that
diversity of knowledge and multidisciplinary training enrich the energy sector.
However, the STEM gap remains deep and urgently requires attention. I am
convinced that change must begin at an early age: in childhood, when
perceptions, aspirations, and opportunities are shaped.
For instance, gender
roles, social perceptions, and lack of access—or even lack of interest—in
information limit our participation. This prevents many women from realizing
the enormous economic and social impact we could generate if we became more
actively involved in technical sectors such as energy.
That is why we
are redoubling efforts in our two pillars—making professional women visible and
making women in vulnerable conditions visible—now integrated with climate
action as our roadmap.
Each of us
represents a unique force. With experience, commitment, and critical
perspective, we help bring the energy and climate sector closer to the fair,
diverse, and collaborative world we long to build. Without our stories and our
dedication, the message of Energy from Women would not have the strength
it has today. I know a little about each of you, and I say “a little” because,
being scattered around the world and with complex schedules, it is difficult to
maintain continuous interaction. But I also know enough to feel that we share
the same needs and aspirations.
Together with
Tatiana, we have many plans, starting with mobilizing committees and promoting
the shared leadership that is part of our values: “co-responsibility.” This is
something I learned from great mentors, who generously gave me their time and
shared their knowledge, allowing me to build my own—a learning I continue to
cultivate day by day. With that same spirit, I feel that moving this network is
also a way of thanking all the women and men who have been and continue to be
present, offering me their guidance and their time. That is gratitude in
action, in addition to everything I have already shared with you.
I hope we
continue growing together, that new ideas arise, and that we keep contributing
to the change the world needs—from knowledge, from love, and from commitment. I
hope this space also allows you to become an inspiration and guide for other
women who, like you, seek to grow and find in you a role model. May you find
here the place you need to develop personally and professionally, to share
experiences, to learn, and to strengthen your commitment to our community.
Author: Andrea Eras
Almeida, Founder of Energy from Women
Bibliography:
Arias,
K., et al. (2025). Towards an inclusive and equal energy
sector: Gender perspectives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Latin
American Energy Organization (OLADE).
International
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2019).
Renewable energy: A gender perspective. IRENA.
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