Feature: Irish Women in Solar – Olivia Abell
This month in our Irish Women in Solar series, we’re proud to feature Olivia Abell, Chief Legal Officer at Power Capital Renewable Energy and one of the newest members of the Solar Ireland Board. Olivia’s journey reflects both the evolving landscape of Ireland’s clean energy sector and the growing number of women shaping its future.
A Legal Career Built on Purpose
Olivia began her legal career in the UK, working on social infrastructure projects like roads, waste, and hospitals. It wasn’t until 2020 that she took on her first renewables deal—a large-scale solar portfolio for a water supply and treatment utility company. That experience changed everything.
“I love the tangible nature of solar… being able to visit a solar farm knowing I played a pivotal role in getting it built.”
Drawn to the sector’s environmental impact and practical application, she shifted focus entirely to solar and wind energy, moving in-house in 2023 to lead and build the legal team at Power Capital.
“Being offered a job by a client off the back of a transaction we worked on together is, in my view, one of the highest compliments a solicitor can get.”
Her current role gives her the opportunity to shape the legal framework of one of Ireland’s most active solar players, influence the sector’s development, and create a department from the ground up—something she describes as both a challenge and a privilege.
Navigating Doubt and Finding Her Voice
Like many women in male-dominated industries, Olivia often finds herself as the only woman in the room, especially at senior management and board levels.
“I struggled initially with my inner voice questioning if I was there on merit or simply because I am a woman.”
She tackled that imposter syndrome head-on, relying on preparation, expertise, and confidence in her abilities.
“Overpreparing helped me offer meaningful input during meetings, building confidence and ultimately reinforcing my value.”
Now, her focus is on helping others grow in their understanding of the legal and commercial sides of solar. She’s determined to make it easier for other women to step into the room—and stay there.
Why Representation Matters
For Olivia, diversity in solar isn’t just a fairness issue—it’s essential to innovation and progress.
“Supporting women in the solar industry isn't just the right thing to do—it's a smart move for the future of the sector and the planet.”
She believes that seeing women in leadership and technical roles can inspire the next generation and help dismantle the idea that the solar industry is solely for engineers—or solely for men.
At Power Capital, gender balance is a strategic focus. Olivia is keen for platforms like Solar Ireland and WISE(IR) to play a role in broadening awareness of the wide range of roles in solar—from policy and planning to finance, legal, and health & safety.
“It’s not just engineers, and not all engineers are men!”
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Inclusion and Growth
Olivia is passionate about promoting women in solar—not just through words but through action.
“My goal is to champion the growth of women in the industry—creating opportunities, fostering mentorship, and advocating for equitable representation.”
She sees Ireland’s solar sector as being nowhere near its full potential, with plenty of “runway left” for development and innovation. And she’s eager to contribute by pushing for a more inclusive industry that empowers women across disciplines.
“If I can be a role model for even one female colleague, that would be a very meaningful contribution indeed.”
Inspired by Others, Paying It Forward
Mentorship has played a key role in Olivia’s career, and she’s quick to name those who’ve helped shape her approach to leadership.
Niamh McGovern, Olivia’s previous manager, impressed Olivia with her pragmatism and sector knowledge, but most of all that she placed equal importance on needs and wellbeing of her clients and her team.
Emma Burrows, her mentor through the Law Society’s Women in Leadership programme, has provided consistent guidance and a true sounding board.
And her dad, whose varied career from coal mining to production to asset management (and everything in between!), taught her that progress doesn’t have to follow a straight line.
“A successful career does not have to be linear.”
At Solar Ireland, we believe stories like Olivia’s are crucial to helping more women see themselves in this industry—and thrive in it.
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