Annemarie Schouten

Annemarie Schouten is the Head of Solar Development at Vattenfall in the Netherlands, where she leads initiatives in the renewable energy sector, particularly focusing on solar energy projects. She is actively involved in the board of Holland Solar, the sector association for solar energy in the Netherlands, where she has played a significant role in developing guidelines for ground-mounted and floating solar installations.12

Background and Career

Schouten has a legal and business background, which complements her work in the renewable energy field. Her interest in this sector was sparked during her law studies when she wrote a master's thesis on smart grid regulation within the EU. This academic focus led her to pursue a career aimed at making a positive impact on energy transition efforts.1

In her role at Vattenfall, Schouten emphasizes the importance of diversity within the industry, advocating for more women to take leadership positions in a traditionally male-dominated field. She believes that increasing female representation in hiring roles can lead to more inclusive hiring practices and diverse perspectives in decision-making processes.14

Contributions and Initiatives

Annemarie Schouten has been instrumental in projects that explore innovative solutions for integrating agriculture with solar energy production. For instance, she is involved in initiatives like the Symbizon solar park, which aims to combine agricultural land use with solar energy generation, demonstrating how both can coexist sustainably.4

Additionally, Schouten frequently participates in industry conferences and discussions, sharing insights on market dynamics, regulatory challenges, and strategic forecasts for solar development in the Netherlands.23 Her efforts are directed towards not only advancing solar technology but also fostering collaboration across different sectors to facilitate a successful energy transition.