What first inspired you to pursue engineering, and why renewables specifically?

My dad. From a very young age, I wanted to help him fix and build things. I would interrupt the flow of a dinner conversation to ask how a microwave works. He has always been a role model for me. He inspired me to work in the electricity generation sector and in the context of climate change, the renewables sector was a no-brainer! I wanted to do something useful, in line with my values and surrounded with good people. Adding a connection to the ocean by working in offshore wind was just the cherry on top. -  Pauline Andrieu , MachairWind Development Project Manager

For me maths and science were always my strongest subject, so I explored engineering opportunities...4 years later I graduated with an Aeronautical Engineering degree. One of the courses in my final year was Renewable Energy and Sustainable Engineering; what appealed to me was the pace of growth and transformation within the sector it seemed like an exciting and rewarding field to be part of. From there I applied to the ScottishPower Scholarship which enabled me to study a Masters in Sustainable Engineering and join the SPR graduate programme. - Hope Ross, Onshore Construction and Operations Project Manager

Which project has been the most exciting or meaningful for you?

Thoroughly enjoyed getting to climb the wind turbines and stand on top of the nacelle roof during my graduate training! Coming through the graduate programme allowed me to work on various projects, it would be hard to pick just one, they have all been exciting and knowing that the work I was involved in plays a role in reducing emissions and supporting the energy transition gave the project a strong sense of purpose. - Hope Ross, Onshore Construction and Operations Project Manager

Why is visibility of women in renewables important for the Renewables industry?

The decisions being made now about how we build our energy infrastructure will shape energy systems for decades. Those decisions are better when they come from genuinely diverse teams; gender is just one element of that mix. I didn’t have many role models I could relate to when I started out, so it is fantastic to see that changing. - Elly Richardson, Offshore Department Manager

So other women feel and see that they belong. Women may want to change the business-as-usual approach. We shouldn’t have to fight to work our way and seeing other women do it naturally leads you to think: ‘Why not me?’ -  Pauline Andrieu, MachairWind Development Project Manager