In our recent conversation on Power Podcast, Ruth Yu-Owen, President and CEO of Upgrade Energy Philippines (UGEP), spoke candidly about a side of renewable energy that is often overlooked: the people behind the projects.

While discussions around the energy transition typically revolve around capacity, costs, and technology, Yu-Owen emphasized that clean energy development should also be measured by who gets included. 

From training women in host communities to building an organizational culture rooted in integrity and care, she described how inclusivity and empowerment have become central to how UGEP operates—and why she believes they are essential to building a truly sustainable energy future.

Beyond compliance: making sustainability a lived value

In a sector increasingly shaped by ESG frameworks and reporting requirements, Yu-Owen is clear that sustainability at UGEP goes far deeper than compliance.

“The core of our company is really to be ethical, sustainable—not just as mere compliance, but really as the core values of the company,” she said. “I want them to live and breathe sustainability and integrity.”

This philosophy influences everything from leadership decisions to workplace culture. Yu-Owen emphasized that inclusivity and diversity are not treated as add-ons, but as principles applied “across the board” in how the company grows and governs itself—especially in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

Solar Nanay: opening the energy workforce to women

One of the clearest expressions of UGEP’s people-first approach is Solar Nanay, a program designed to train women in communities where the company operates to take part in solar project maintenance and operations.

“Solar is not just for men,” Yu-Owen said. “It’s also for women.”

Through Solar Nanay, women—many of them mothers—are trained in basic solar maintenance tasks such as cleaning and system upkeep. UGEP is also working to help participants progress toward national certification, opening pathways for longer-term employment in the clean energy sector.

Yu-Owen explained that the program was born from a simple question: when energy projects create jobs during construction, what opportunities exist for women in host communities once the project is operating? Solar Nanay aims to ensure that women are not excluded from the benefits of the renewable energy transition.

Diversity as a strength, not a constraint

Achieving gender balance in an engineering, procurement, and construction company is not without challenges—but Yu-Owen views this as a reason to push harder, not pull back.

“We need diversity. We need 50–50 as much as possible,” she said. “There are a lot of great female engineers, managers, and leaders—and they’re very detail-oriented.”

At UGEP, women are encouraged to grow within the organization and move up the corporate ladder. Yu-Owen believes diverse teams lead to better decision-making and more resilient organizations—an important advantage in an industry that must manage technical, financial, and regulatory risks all at once.

Empowerment beyond energy: Connected Women

Yu-Owen’s commitment to inclusion extends beyond UGEP’s project sites, it spreads through Connected Women as well, a technology-focused social enterprise she co-founded to help women from underprivileged communities enter the digital workforce.

“Women drop out of the workforce because they become moms,” Yu-Owen said. “But it shouldn’t be like that. You need to give them options.”

Connected Women trains Filipinas in digital and technology-enabled work that can be done remotely, allowing them to earn income while managing family responsibilities. Over time, the initiative has expanded to train women in correctional facilities and conflict-affected areas, including regions in BARMM.

For Yu-Owen, economic empowerment is deeply personal. “It’s important to have money,” she said. “There are a lot of women who cannot get out of abusive relationships because they don’t have money, they don’t have a job.”

Leadership with empathy and accountability

Inclusivity at UGEP is reflected not only in programs and policies, but also in leadership style. Yu-Owen described a company culture built on openness, support, and shared responsibility.

“When people have problems, I don’t want them to feel like they’re alone,” she said. “It’s always, ‘How can we solve this problem?’”

At the same time, Yu-Owen is clear about accountability. Being supportive does not mean lowering standards. Instead, she sees empathy and firmness as complementary—both necessary to build high-performing teams that can sustain growth.

Powering communities, not just projects

For UGEP, renewable energy development is ultimately about enabling people and communities to thrive. Clean power supports businesses, livelihoods, and social services—but inclusion determines whether those benefits are widely shared.

As the Philippines accelerates its energy transition, UGEP’s approach offers a reminder that the shift to renewables is not only about cleaner electrons, but also about building an energy system that reflects the values of equity, opportunity, and shared progress.

How can renewable energy projects do more to ensure that communities—and especially women—are active participants in the country’s energy transition, not just its beneficiaries?

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You can catch the full episode over on our official Youtube channel!