About Women in Energy – Iceland

The Association

Women in Energy – Iceland is an association for women that work or are interested in the energy and utilities sector in Iceland. The association is open to anyone who considers the association purpose relevant to their values and wish to promote its progress. Membership is open to everyone, both women and men, as gender equilibrium is important to us all.

Purpose

The purpose of the Women in Energy – Iceland is to

• strengthen the role of women in the energy sector and increase their influence in the energy and utilities sector
• strengthening their network as well as promoting the education and training of women in energy issues
• highlight the status of equality and the importance of diversity within the energy and utilities sector
• promote an improved workplace culture and equal opportunities for all

Sponsors

The Women in Energy – Iceland have strong sponsors who support the association with funding, access to their facilities and assist with events.

History

In September 2015, Harpa Pétursdóttir met with Auður Nanna Baldvinsdóttir, Elín Smáradóttir, Helga Barðadóttir and Petra Steinunn Sveinsdóttir with the purpose of finding out if women in Iceland should form an association for the energy sector. They decided to found an association that would advance and develop the role of women within the sector. The kickoff meeting was supposed to be held in the dining halls of Landsvirkjun but soon after advertising the event over 200 women had marked themselves as attending and the meeting was moved to another venue in Norðurljósarsal in Harpa concert hall. This showed the need for an association like ours.

The association was official formed on March 11th 2016 where the first board of directors was chosen and since then maintained an active and current presence in the Icelandic energy community.