After completing the Women in Renewables mentoring qualification last year, Steph Dunlop was motivated to create new opportunities to progress her career. In June, she was elected the new Chair of RenewableNI, making her a highly visable role model and leader across the sector.
She was part of this year’s panel discussion at Women in Renewables and shares her reflections on the event and wider impact of the initiative.
Taking part in Women in Renewables is one of my favourite events in the industry calendar. As Chair of RenewableNI, it was extra special this year.
It was inspiring to see so many women from across the energy industry come together to share experiences, learn from one another, and build connections that will help strengthen our sector for years to come.
The event reinforced something I have long believed: while technology, policy and infrastructure are critical to the energy transition, people remain our greatest asset. Yes, even in the age of AI.
The renewable energy sector is growing rapidly. We need engineers, planners, policy experts, project managers, communicators and leaders from a wide range of backgrounds if we are to deliver the energy transition successfully. Attracting talent into the sector is only part of the challenge. We must also support people to stay, develop and thrive.
One of the standout moments of the day was the keynote address and workshop delivered by Joanna Denton. She encouraged us to think about our “Powerhouse Moments” beyond job titles, promotions, awards or public achievements. The Powerhouse List, as Joanna described it, is more than a record of accomplishments. It is an evidence bank: a personal history of the moments when we showed courage and resilience, even if we did not recognise them as such at the time.
Later in the morning, I had the opportunity to participate in the panel discussion alongside an impressive group of women leaders from across the sector. The session focused not on organisations or technical specialisms, but on our individual experiences, perspectives and career journeys.
One of the messages I shared was that careers are rarely linear. Looking back, many of the opportunities that proved most valuable came from stepping outside my comfort zone, taking on unfamiliar challenges and saying yes before I felt completely ready.
It is important to recognise, in our own journeys, that many of the opportunities that once felt overwhelming often become manageable, and even routine, when viewed in hindsight. Each experience reinforces the idea that growth happens when we are prepared to begin and before we feel completely ready.
That is one reason why mentoring is so important.
Mentoring can play a powerful role in that journey. Sometimes the most valuable support is not a training course or a promotion opportunity. It is a conversation with someone who has faced similar challenges, a sounding board during moments of uncertainty, or a trusted voice that provides encouragement when confidence wavers.
Steph Dunlop, RenewableNI Chair; keynote Joanna Denton; Catherine Burns, Pinsent Masons and Emma Morris, SONI.
You do not need to have all the answers to be a mentor. Often, the greatest value comes from listening, sharing lessons learned and helping someone else realise they are more capable than they think.
I left this year’s conference feeling optimistic about the future of our industry. The energy transition will require investment, innovation and policy leadership, but it will also depend on people!
One of the most inspiring aspects of the day was seeing women championing and encouraging other women. Those acts of support may seem small in the moment, but they can have a lasting impact on careers, confidence and, ultimately, the future of our sector.
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About Steph Dunlop
Steph is Policy Manager for Northern Ireland and Ireland at FTSE UK-listed SSE plc, delivering strategic insight on the energy sector and policy landscape. In this role, she supports SSE’s onshore and offshore teams to engage effectively with government departments, regulators, policymakers and system operators in both markets. Previously, Steph worked at Energia Group as a Renewable Energy Policy Analyst, where she developed expertise in renewable integration, energy storage, and cross-border market alignment.
She also served as a U.S. diplomat, where she was responsible for economic policy and engagement work in Hong Kong and Macau and supported high-level U.S. delegations. She holds an MA in Diplomacy and International Political Economy.
Steph sits on the CBI NI Council, the CBI Energy Working Group, the NI Chamber Energy Group and various Wind Energy Ireland working groups.
