New Energy Sector Shatters Old Stereotypes: More Women Choosing Engineering

Lithuania is making significant strides in gender equality within science and innovation, ranking second in the European Union according to the "She Figures 2024" monitoring report. The report specifically highlights women's growing involvement in research, career progression, and the integration of gender perspectives into scientific activities.

This positive trend is particularly evident in the new energy sector. Odeta Zubrienė, head of the People and Culture Department at "Litgrid," the Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator and part of the "EPSO-G" group, observes a rising number of women choosing technical professions. These women are not only seeking leadership positions but are also building successful careers within this dynamic field. Zubrienė emphasizes that organizational diversity is a key advantage, as varied experiences and viewpoints foster better decision-making and drive the innovations essential for the future of energy.

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Today young specialists choose energy because it is one of the fastest-changing fields. It combines technology, sustainability, innovation, and a real impact on society. The experiences of women working with us show that they are motivated by the opportunity to solve complex problems, learn constantly, and contribute to building the future of energy.

According to Zubrienė, women are often drawn to the energy sector by the prospect of engaging in meaningful, dynamic work that encourages continuous growth. "Young specialists today choose energy because it is one of the fastest-changing fields," she states. "It combines technology, sustainability, innovation, and a real impact on society. The experiences of women working with us show that they are motivated by the opportunity to solve complex problems, learn constantly, and contribute to building the future of energy."

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We see women successfully realizing themselves in very different areas in energy – from data analysis to electricity system management or the development of advanced technological solutions. This shows that modern energy requires diverse competencies, and people with different interests and strengths can find professional opportunities here.

Women are establishing themselves across a wide array of roles within the sector, including analysts, system management specialists, protection engineers, and project managers. These positions require not only technical knowledge but also analytical thinking and the ability to make responsible decisions. "We see women successfully realizing themselves in very different areas in energy – from data analysis to electricity system management or the development of advanced technological solutions," Zubrienė adds. "This shows that modern energy requires diverse competencies, and people with different interests and strengths can find professional opportunities here."

"Litgrid" analyst-engineer Jurgita Kuprienė, who entered the energy field unexpectedly, feels she is in the right place. "When I finished school, I hadn't decided what I wanted to be," she recalls. "I chose thermoengineering studies quite intuitively when entering university, but today I can say I have never regretted that decision – it's hard to imagine myself elsewhere." System control center engineer Viktorija Korobova points to continuous learning and a rapidly changing work environment as key aspects. "Since I joined the "Litgrid" team relatively recently, and am still studying electrical engineering, everything is interesting to me," Korobova says. "I am most interested in the different levels of the electricity transmission system and their interconnections – from controller programming to operational management."

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When I finished school, I hadn't decided what I wanted to be. I chose thermoengineering studies quite intuitively when entering university, but today I can say I have never regretted that decision – it's hard to imagine myself elsewhere.

Senior engineer Ingrida Vygėlienė highlights precision, responsibility, and constant system analysis as crucial in her role. "This is a field where you need to constantly analyze systems and ensure the electricity supply infrastructure is protected in critical situations," she explains. "When everything runs smoothly, you don't notice it, but that is precisely the point." Jurgita Kemėšienė, head of the business unit at recruitment agency "Alliance for Recruitment," also notes the increasing number of women in technical professions. She observes that strong specialists are defined by their competencies, knowledge, experience, and motivation, criteria unrelated to gender. "Generations are changing, and a more liberal attitude is spreading, both from employers and from students choosing their studies," Kemėšienė states.

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Since I joined the "Litgrid" team relatively recently, and am still studying electrical engineering, everything is interesting to me. I am most interested in the different levels of the electricity transmission system and their interconnections – from controller programming to operational management.