Skopje, 24 January 2026 (MIA) - Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, Sanja Bozhinovska, took part in and addressed the kick-off event of the PULSE project and the EVN Macedonia Women’s Network, expressing strong support for the initiative to enhance gender equality and inclusivity in the energy sector. She highlighted that the energy transition is both a social and economic process, and that women’s involvement is essential for its success.

“Energy is the backbone of the state, and women are its unused intellectual force. Excluding half of human potential means we are already in an energy deficit,” Bozhinovska said.

According to the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, she emphasized that a new system cannot be built with an old mindset and that a sustainable energy transition requires women in decision-making positions, project management, and resource allocation.

She noted that the energy sector globally is experiencing its most profound transformation ever – encompassing decarbonization, digitalization, the integration of renewable energy, and smart grids – all processes that demand new skills, analytical ability, innovation, and flexibility, areas in which women can and should take a leading role.

Bozhinovska highlighted that, for the first time in 2024, solar energy capacity in the country exceeded hydropower capacity, representing a major achievement for the green agenda and a substantial engineering and managerial challenge for the distribution network.

She stressed that modern energy demands leadership capable of managing change and a culture able to retain talent. Diversity, she noted, is not a question of fairness but a precondition for pragmatic and resilient solutions.

She highlighted the current obstacles to women’s progress in the sector, emphasizing that these barriers stem not from a lack of self-confidence, but from outdated corporate structures and rigid systems that do not acknowledge or appreciate their leadership abilities.

“This should not be seen as a gesture of kindness toward women, but as a smart business decision. Teams with gender diversity bring more innovation, higher profitability, and better risk management. If we lose talent, we are consciously losing the future as well,” Bozhinovska said.

She welcomed EVN Macedonia’s commitment as a signatory of the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and as the initiator of the PULSE project, noting that this program is not a “side story” but part of the driving force behind the sector’s transformation.

“Sustainable energy requires a responsible company, and a responsible company requires leadership that opens doors to the best talent. PULSE and the EVN Macedonia Women’s Network are exactly that—the pulse of the new energy sector,” Bozhinovska noted.

Bozhinovska urged young women in the energy sector to “not wait for permission to lead—claim your place. Don’t silence your ideas; speak them out loud. You are stronger than you think.”

As she emphasized, the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources remains open to cooperation with the private sector by integrating a gender perspective into all energy strategies and policies.

“Together we pulse forward-we empower women, strengthen our sector, and lead the energy future,” Minister Bozhinovska said.

Photo: Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources