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.
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.
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.