Women In Solar - Andrea Arroyo, Renwables & Storage Consultant - MAI Group

Andrea Arroyo

Renewables & Storage Consultant - MAI Group

About Andrea 

I am Andrea Gimenez Arroyo and hold both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Energy Engineering from the Polytechnical University of Madrid (UPM), respectively specializing in Energy Management and Renewable Energy. This academic background offered me a holistic view of the energy sector before acquiring my own experience working in the sector.

After finalizing my studies, I started working on energy efficiency and electrical installations before joining the Renewables and Storage Division as a consultant at MAI Group. I joined MAI approximately four years ago and acquired extremely valuable experience of the international power sector since then thanks to working with high valued professionals who have mentored and helped me grow professionally. During this time, I have strengthened my analytical and managerial skills in global energy projects with the aim of contributing to decarbonisation and sustainability worldwide.

Please Introduce yourself and your role at MAI Group

I work in the Renewables and Storage Division at MAI Group, where I perform management and technical activities in the role of Lender Technical Advisor, being Project Manager in four different solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects. My daily work focuses on leading Technical Due Diligence (TDD) processes in order to reach Financial Close and monitor the following phases of construction and operation of the facilities. My experience with bilateral and multilateral Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) as well as private banking is particularly focused on the Arabian Peninsula (United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman), CIS countries and Spain.

Can you share your journey into the solar industry? What was it that inspired you to pursue a career in this field?

My journey into the solar industry began with a strong interest in cleaner energy, sustainability and the opportunity to directly address climate change. With a background in engineering, I was always fascinated by technology's potential to solve global challenges. Solar energy emerged as a groundbreaking and swiftly evolving field with the ability to make a tangible impact on the environment and global energy access. More particularly, what inspired me most was the versatility and scalability of solar technology, which allows to power a wide range of applications from small rural homes to large-scale industrial complexes, all while cutting carbon emissions at all stages.

At the time of deciding on a career path, the global energy sector and its projections were changing and I wanted to be part of that transformation. Today, as a technical advisor, I leverage my experience to help bring solar projects to life ensuring the financial and technical viability of the projects.

Can you share a significant achievement or milestone in your career that you are particularly proud of? What made it special for you?

Since I joined MAI, I have actively collaborated in the development of financial closing processes, achieving Financial Close in more than thirty plants. Therefore, the first time I had the opportunity to lead this process for a photovoltaic solar plant and then the success of reaching this milestone was a great achievement for me both personally and professionally. This has taught me to coordinate resources, actively collaborate with all types of stakeholders and, above all, has made me trust in my abilities, increasing my ambition and passion in this challenging sector.

The fact that I and an increasing number of female colleagues have been entrusted with leading more complex processes and, in general, taking on greater responsibilities, is very rewarding and I am particularly proud of the excellent work they deliver and demonstrate every day in each new challenge.

For me their achievements are absolutely inspiring and together we are moving confidently towards a future of equality

If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

If I could give my younger self one piece of advice it would be to speak up confidently and feel free to express my opinion as I have felt insecure at times, especially when I was the only woman in the room. I think that is a message that should reach every woman working in this sector: our ideas and viewpoints are valuable. 

I also think it is important to support each other in finding mentors, both men and women, as well as additionally establishing networks with other women in the industry who inspire us, help us grow and enrich us.

Of course, staying curious and wanting to keep learning is vital as the solar industry is constantly evolving and the ability to adapt is the key to success. And most importantly, believing in the greater mission of creating a sustainable future, which fuels our purpose as we progress in our careers.

How do you see the role of women evolving in the solar industry, particularly in leadership positions? What changes would you like to see? 

Even though the percentage of women in the sector is progressively increasing, there are still fewer women reaching leadership positions which have been occupied traditionally and more generally by a greater male presence.

I have no doubt that the sector is evolving in the good direction. However, there is still room for improvement in representativeness and equity. Companies must foster environments where women can thrive by providing equal access to career advancement, more flexible working policies, promoting skills such as decision-making, a healthy competition with transparent processes and a strong focus on diversity of any kind. By creating these opportunities, I trust that we can enhance women representation in leadership positions, serving as role models for future generations seeking training and professional development in engineering, technical, scientific or management fields.

What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in the solar industry or other renewable energy fields?

First, I strongly encourage building a strong foundation in STEM disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, where historically women have been underrepresented both in university and industry, or in disciplines related to policy, law or finance as these skills are key as the industry evolves. The solar and energy sector offers a wide variety of career opportunities.

Most importantly, they should be confident in their abilities as the renewable energy sector thrives on innovation, and diverse perspectives are essential to solving emerging global energy challenges.

Finally, they should remain passionate, resilient and focused on the mission of contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future that is both rewarding and impactful. Diversity in the industry, whatever it may be, enriches us all.

About MAI Group

MAI Group is a consultancy and engineering company with 25 years of experience providing services in the Energy, Management Consulting, Water and Environment sectors across the entire project cycle.

MAI offers consolidated and incorporated experience and know-how from 4,500 projects over 145 countries in 5 continents and over 250 highly skilled professionals serving in its projects. The company has advised more than 45 GW renewables across the world.

We offer a comprehensive portfolio of services and solutions for all client needs within a sustainable vision. In the Energy area, we are focused on renewables, storage and hydrogen as well as transmission and distribution services (up to 800 kV).