‘Women in Renewables’ program at the Bomen Solar Farm receives Climate Council Choice Award
Today, the Climate Council announced the winners of their Choice Award from across Australia. Spark Renewables is honoured to be among the recipients, recognised for the ‘Women in Solar’ program at the Bomen Solar Farm near Wagga Wagga, NSW.
According to the Climate Council, Australia’s fossil fuel industry is dominated by men – only 23% of people working in coal and gas are women. The proportion of women in renewables is already much higher, at around 39%, and the industry is working hard to make sure women are benefiting from the employment opportunities that come with the switch to a power system free of climate pollution.
During the construction of our Bomen Solar Farm, Beon Energy Solutions, and Bomen Solar Farm’s EPC Contractor, partnered with Chandler Macleod to implement the ‘Women in Solar’ program to encourage women to work in the construction of large-scale solar farms. This initiative enabled training and qualifying of 12 local women in solar panel installation; including single mothers, Aboriginal women and women who were long-term unemployed.
The majority of these women continue to work in the industry, and Spark Renewables is continuing its the community employment program on other projects.
Spark Renewables is proud to be recognised for demonstrating how the industry can combat traditional barriers to employment in the energy sector by directly helping women gain new skills, experience, and qualifications for future employment.
Generation from the Bomen Solar Farm powers around 36,000 Australian homes, while also delivering meaningful benefits to all parts of the community including women and young people. Other initiatives we are proud to have as part of the $1 million Bomen Solar Farm Community Fund include:
- The Transition Program and the Girls at the Centre program at Mount Austin High School in Wagga Wagga empowering young students to set themselves up for success later in life.
- Tree plantings and biodiversity projects.
- Installation of solar panels on housing for people in care to help lower their power bills.
- Beehives hosted by Wagga Wagga beekeepers.
- A flock of over a thousand Merino wethers grazing at the solar farm.
Watch the video here:
