Powering Change: Tata Power Empowers Women in Business, Communities, and Self-Help Groups to Accelerate India’s Green Energy Journey

Tata Power, one of India’s leading integrated power companies, reaffirms its dedication to gender parity in line with the theme of International Women’s Day 2024, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” through its focused DEI strategy.

As the company is transitioning towards achieving its goal of net carbon neutrality by 2045 its female leaders are actively contributing to this shift.

At Tata Power, women are making significant contributions across both conventional and renewable energy sectors, spanning various functions and levels. The company is focused on increasing representation of women in frontline roles such as operations, maintenance, projects, R&D, technology, manufacturing, engineering, sales, and customer service. Despite an industry-leading gender diversity ratio of 14% Tata Power aims to reach 18% by FY27. In its effort to promote gender diversity, the company’s newly built 4GW Solar Cell & Solar Module manufacturing capacity in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, has up to 80% women workforce. In addition, initiatives like all-women meter testing lab in Odisha Discoms and establishing all- women shift operations and customer centres showcase the company’s commitment to empower women employees.

Young women engineers are also being hired and trained in the transitioning energy sector through programs like the Tata Power Skill Development Institute’s ‘all-women batch.’ The company is consistently putting efforts to employ more women in frontline positions, with an improvement each year.

Tata Power’s DEI Policy, which focusses on creating an equal-opportunity work environment, also strives to focus on ensuring gender equality. The company has been achieving this through recruiting 30% early-career women and experienced professionals, carefully placing them to ensure gender balance. Key leaders have been contributing to support women empowerment through active mentoring programs like “Aspire Women-toring” which allows them to share their expertise and develop a pipeline of women leaders.

Fostering a supportive culture within the company through awareness campaigns, manager sensitization programs, gender-neutral language, and policies such as extended leave options and remote work are emphasized to promote gender equity.

Tata Power is also empowering women in communities, and reaches out to more than 20 lakh women community members through various CSR interventions. As part of its 4E thrust areas-Education, Employability and Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Essential Enablers, programs like Abha Sakthi/Sakhi vocational skilling are helping women find their footing in society. These programs train semi-skilled and unskilled women in areas such as electricity metering, billing, and energy conservation, enabling them to educate their communities on these important issues. Additionally, women receive training in financial literacy, life skills, and vocational skills, empowering them to earn a livelihood and support their families. Over 8000 Abha women serve as Community Ambassadors in slums and rural areas around Mumbai, Delhi, and in Odisha.

The Unnati – Women Literacy Programme promotes functional literacy through speech-based software, allowing women to gain independence in reading, writing, and managing their finances, further empowering them to contribute to society.

Mr. Himal Tewari, CHRO and Chief of CSR & Sustainability, Tata Power, stated “Our commitment towards empowering women to lead India’s energy transition is evident with success stories of women handling high-impact roles within the organisation and playing an influencer role in the community. We believe that this is possible through a conscious & integrative approach to create a conducive DEI climate and that our investment in this initiative will accelerate our business and the sustainability agenda.”

With its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Tata Power is not only living up to its #SustainableisAttainable credo but is also making it a seamless part of its business and community outreach plans.