Globally, women only make up 32% of workers in the renewable energy sector and 22% in the oil and gas sector, according to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency^[1]. As the world embarks on a mission towards achieving a low-carbon energy transition, there is a move towards a more diverse workforce to support innovation and different perspectives.

Thankfully, the energy sector in Singapore is poised to experience significant workforce growth over the next decade, unlocking not only new career opportunities in this field, but paving the way for greater diversity and innovation.

Meet two women who are forging their careers in different areas and roles, all united by a passion for their work.

In the early days, Dr Ang Pei Pei was pursuing a PhD in Polymer Science from the University of Manchester, Institute of Science & Technology in the United Kingdom. Achieving outstanding academic performance, she was established as a top scholar in her programme, with the US Air Force recognising her potential and sponsoring her PhD project, eventually extending a job offer as a research scientist.

She was at the crossroads – to accept the once-in-a-lifetime offer to join a highly reputed organisation or return to Singapore and figure out her career path from ground zero. Taking a leap of faith, Dr Ang saw her personal duty as a Singaporean to return to the nation in 1991 and contribute to its growth.

Joining Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG) as a Technical Manager a decade ago, she has since risen through the ranks and is now Operations Vice President, leading SLNG’s Operations Group, where she oversees the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the LNG terminal operations.

“As a Singaporean, I find it meaningful and rewarding to be able to contribute to Singapore energy security and reliability, by helping to ensure uninterrupted supply of natural gas for power generation,” said Dr Ang.

More than 95% of Singapore’s electricity is generated using natural gas, an energy source that plays a critical role in keeping the nation’s lights on. Dr Ang’s team is responsible for making sure that the gas supply from the SLNG Terminal to the power generation companies, flows without disruption.

Apart from being a skilled engineer and leader, she is also a passionate advocate for women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), where she encourages young women to pursue their passions and break barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries, including the energy sector and hopes for a more diverse energy sector.

“We should never view ourselves as being at a disadvantage based on our gender. At the end of the day, men and women are very different, and we make a great team together. Increased women representation will allow the industry to leverage their talents, perspectives and experiences to contribute to a more diverse and holistic energy landscape,” shared Dr Ang. 

Behind the electricity that comes by easily with a click of the switch, lies a team of engineers in a control room monitoring rows of mission-critical computer systems to ensure the continuous flow of electricity and gas in Singapore’s power system.

Part of this team is Sim Xuan Wei, a Principal Engineer in the Energy Management Systems Department of the Energy Market Authority (EMA). The team responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Energy Management System (EMS) also oversees the Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) to detect any cyber threats that may disrupt the supply of electricity to the grid.

Xuan Wei’s journey to the energy sector began during a physics lesson on electricity in secondary school.

“The realisation of how vital electricity is in powering our everyday lives ignited a profound curiosity in me. I was motivated by a desire to contribute to the development of sustainable solutions that would ensure the availability of reliable and clean energy for future generations,” she said.

This became the driving force behind her decision to pursue a career in engineering, particularly within the energy sector.

Since joining EMA in 2017, Xuan Wei has had opportunities to work on various energy projects – from the implementation of the EMS to witnessing the successful implementation of the largest solar farm in Singapore.

Knowing how her work impacts Singapore is what keeps her motivated to continue making a difference in the energy field. She counts herself privileged to have worked with some talented women over the course of her career. From senior leaders to talented colleagues at various stages of their careers, she admires their competence, dedication, and professionalism behind every project they take on and values the guidance and support she has received from them.

To those interested in joining the energy sector, Xuan Wei has this piece of advice: “By pursuing your passion and stepping into STEM fields, you are not only advancing your own dreams but also creating opportunities for future generations.”

With such storied careers in the energy sector, these women have contributed to its growth in their own unique ways.

[1] Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective