President of Europe’s first female energy community in Greece, announced as a finalist in the European Sustainable Energy Awards
Apostolina Tsaltampasi, also President of the Greek Association of Women Entrepreneurs, spearheads initiative that supports women leaders in the green energy transition
WEnCoop, an all-woman energy community established in 2021 by Apostolina Tsaltampasi, is the driving force behind two new photovoltaic parks of 1 MW each in the greater Chalkidiki area of Greece, with two more currently in planning. Moreover, the cooperative of 66 women is taking local energy poverty issues into their own hands, educating more than 500 women on energy efficiency. Apostolina also uses her vast business experience, as well as her role as the President of WEnCoop’s initatior, the Greek Association of Women Entrepreneurs (SEGE), to promote innovation and sustainability in the energy sector by engaging female entrepreneurs to take an active role in activities that secure a carbon neutral future.
‘The idea behind the creation of the energy cooperative was to empower women, regardless of their status, economic background, and educational level, to proceed in the design and implementation of projects that will educate them in terms of energy production, provide them training on energy efficiency and support them in implementing green policies for their businesses,’ explains Apostolina.
‘It is very important to have someone like Apostolina to give women the opportunity to gain energy independence. On our own, we can’t afford to build our own solar plant, but together we are producing our own energy,’ say Mrs. Evanthia Stavrou and Mrs. Christina Vraka founding members and co-investors of WEnCoop.
In addition to her roles in the cooperative and the association, Apostolina founded the business and development consultancy OECON GROUP in 2003 and remains CEO until today. She is a recognised leading businesswoman and inspiration to other entrepreneurs, receiving the title of Female Entrepreneurship Ambassador by the European Commission in 2010 for her dynamic activity in promoting women in business and in 2014, she earned the title of ‘Women Motivator in the Mediterranean’.
As a long-time advocate for female empowerment, it was a natural step for Apostolina to look at engaging women in sustainable energy issues.
‘The most important work of the coop is that we became public advocates about how women should be encouraged to take part in the green transition. For me having gender balance in the energy field is a matter of having stable societies in the future. We need to enhance equality in all levels of the economy and society, then we will have stability. Then we will have progress,’ adds Apostolina.
In tackling energy poverty among women in Greece, Apostolina is pushing forward the European Commission’s Clean energy for all Europeans package and delivering on the European Green Deal. The cooperative’s actions to establish renewable energy in Greece and drive more women into the sustainable energy field is also supporting the REPowerEU Plan to accelerate the clean energy transition and increase Europe’s energy independence.
Women in energy: closing the gender gap to advance the green and digital transition
Apostolina Tsaltampasi is one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2022 in the Woman in Energy category. The award recognises women who lead outstanding activities that, if replicated, help to advance the clean energy transition in Europe. Particular attention is placed on efforts in driving the gender mainstreaming agenda and supporting equality and equal opportunities in the energy sector. The other finalists are Andreia Carreiro and Britta Schaffmeister.
Andreia, from Portugal, is an academic with vast experience in the development of innovative technologies, solutions and public policies for sustainable energy. Britta, from the Netherlands, is the CEO of the Dutch Marine Energy Centre and is advancing marine energy technologies in Europe.
European Sustainable Energy Awards honour changemakers taking bold action on energy and climate goals
The European Sustainable Energy Awards recognise outstanding individuals and projects for their innovation and efforts in energy efficiency and renewables. Prizes will be awarded in four categories: Innovation, Local Energy Action, Woman in Energy, and Young Energy Trailblazer. Finalists are chosen by a high-level jury from a shortlist of the year’s most successful projects and actions for clean, secure and efficient energy. The winners will be decided by an online public vote which is open now until 18 September.
EUSEW 2022
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) takes place on 26 to 30 September 2022 under the theme ‘Going green and digital for Europe’s energy transition’. EUSEW will bring thousands of sustainable energy stakeholders together both in Brussels and online to discuss Europe’s energy independence ambitions and climate goals through the REPowerEU Plan’s measures of energy savings, diversification of energy supplies and an accelerated roll-out of renewables.
Registrations for onsite and online attendance are now open.
For interview requests with the EUSEW 2022 Award finalists or additional media information, please contact [email protected]