Powering Change: Awards Target Gender Gap in Asia's Energy Sector

HONG KONG – December 31, 2025 – As the Asia-Pacific region accelerates its transition toward a sustainable energy future, a critical initiative is turning the spotlight on the underrepresented innovators essential to its success. The Battery Show Asia has officially opened nominations for its 2026 Women Leaders in Energy Awards, a program designed to honor and amplify the contributions of female pioneers across the energy value chain.

The awards, themed "The Dawn Light, Illuminating the Future of Energy," aim to do more than just celebrate individual achievements. They represent a strategic effort to address a persistent gender gap that limits the sector's potential and to foster a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient industry.

Addressing a Systemic Imbalance

The need for such an initiative is stark. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), women constitute only about 20% of the global energy workforce. The disparity is even more pronounced in leadership, where the proportion of female senior managers lags significantly behind other industries. Research highlights a "broken rung" on the corporate ladder, with studies showing that for every 100 men promoted to a managerial role, only 81 women ascend, hindering their path to executive positions.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the numbers paint a complex picture. While some areas, like Taiwan's offshore wind industry, show promising female representation in management, the broader landscape reflects the global trend. In parts of Southeast Asia, women's representation on the boards of energy companies remains critically low, sometimes barely reaching 10%. These figures underscore the structural barriers—from systemic biases to a lack of mentorship and inflexible work cultures—that continue to limit women's participation and influence.

"Despite women being pivotal to innovation, they remain significantly underrepresented in the energy sector, particularly in leadership roles," said Dan Ye, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Informa Markets Asia and Head of The Battery Show Asia. "The Women Leaders in Energy Awards are more than just recognition. They are a critical platform to amplify these voices, inspire the next generation, and accelerate the industry's shift towards true gender inclusivity and collaborative innovation."

The Business Case for Diversity

The push for gender parity is not solely an issue of equity; it is a fundamental business imperative. A growing body of evidence demonstrates a direct correlation between diversity and improved corporate performance, a crucial factor in a sector facing the complex challenges of decarbonization and energy security.

Studies by firms like McKinsey & Company have found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on their executive teams are 25% more likely to experience above-average profitability. Furthermore, organizations with at least 30% women in leadership positions have been shown to achieve net profit margins up to six percentage points higher than those with no female leaders. This financial upside is linked to enhanced innovation and better decision-making. Diverse teams are proven to be more creative and effective at problem-solving, with one report indicating that companies with above-average diversity derive 45% of their revenue from innovation, compared to just 26% for their less diverse counterparts.

This impact is particularly potent in the context of sustainability. Research indicates that female leaders are often more likely to prioritize and champion ambitious environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Their leadership is linked to decisions that support climate-friendly solutions, lower corporate emissions, and improve risk management, leading to fewer safety incidents and environmental violations.

Spotlighting Changemakers and Rising Stars

The Women Leaders in Energy Awards are structured to recognize excellence at every stage of the leadership journey. The program features two distinct categories, with eight awardees to be selected for each:

• Energy Changemaker Award: This category honors influential female leaders who have demonstrated a measurable impact on the energy sector. Nominees are expected to have driven industry transformation, created significant social value, and fostered global collaboration through cross-border projects or international partnerships.
• Energy Rising Star Award: This award celebrates emerging leaders who are at the forefront of energy innovation. It recognizes women showcasing groundbreaking leadership in technology or business models and who exhibit strong potential to influence the future of the industry.

Nominations are open globally until January 30, 2026, with a shortlist to be revealed on February 27. The winners will be celebrated at a gala dinner during The Battery Show Asia on March 10, 2026. The initiative encourages nominations from corporate leaders, emerging innovators, and industry enthusiasts to ensure the widest possible recognition of talent.

A Catalyst for an Industry in Transition

The awards are a cornerstone of The Battery Show Asia 2026, a premier event that will convene over 20,000 policymakers, engineers, manufacturers, and thought leaders at Hong Kong's AsiaWorld-Expo from March 10-12. Co-located with Energy Storage Asia and Mobility Tech Asia, the show is a critical hub for an industry experiencing explosive growth.

The Asia-Pacific region is projected to dominate the global battery energy storage market, accounting for an estimated 68% of market value by 2026. This boom is fueled by rapid renewable energy integration, technological advancements, and supportive government policies across nations like China, India, Japan, and Australia. By embedding the Women Leaders in Energy Awards within this influential platform, the organizers aim to ensure that the conversation around innovation is inextricably linked with the conversation around inclusion.

By spotlighting the women who are already driving strategic breakthroughs and sustainable development, the awards serve a dual purpose: they provide long-overdue recognition while creating visible role models to inspire a new generation of talent. This effort is vital for building a robust talent pipeline and ensuring the energy sector has the diverse expertise needed to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities of the global energy transition.