“The Female Perspective Is Crucial in the Energy Sector”

Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) is an important field within the energy industry that is key to enable the energy transition. Yet, this area of profession has long been struggling with female representation. But the trend is turning. At least if you ask Maricruz Bravo, Head of EPC at Flower. She is at the forefront of her field, designing and building battery parks in Sweden and beyond.

“I was a part of founding the EPC team at Flower around a year and a half ago. Our aim was to scale Flower’s in-house expertise beyond its tech solutions, and as a way to ensure access to new markets across Europe. Today, my team has grown to eight people, and we’re currently constructing three projects in Sweden while preparing several international sites for development,” she says.

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Although Flower’s core lies in its market-leading tech software solutions, its business model entails building its own battery systems to accelerate battery deployment across Europe—a crucial component of the energy transition. Flower’s long-term goal is not necessarily to retain majority ownership of this infrastructure but rather to develop these projects firsthand and later let specialized entities, such as infrastructure funds, with a capital-intensive business model, co-invest in the projects.

“Building battery systems requires meticulous planning, attention to detail and strong problem solving skills”, says Maricruz.

Engineering in her DNA

Born and raised in Costa Rica, Maricruz studied Civil Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States. For her, choosing this path was an easy decision.

“My grandpa and dad were both engineers, so it felt natural to follow in their footsteps. Building critical infrastructure, like battery systems, requires meticulous planning, attention to detail, and strong problem-solving skills – all of which are skills you learn in engineering school. I love the challenge of taking a project from point A to point B, carefully considering aspects like safety, efficiency, and cost along the way.”

Breaking barriers in the sector

As a woman in the energy industry, Maricruz has grown used to being the underrepresented gender, but has not let that play to her disadvantage.

“I grew up with three brothers, so I often had to speak my mind to be heard. Early in my career, making my voice count in the energy sector was a challenge. But as I honed my skills and built experience, earning respect became easier. It is exciting to see young women step into the industry and great to see more women interested in leadership roles. At Flower for example, four out of nine in executive management are women. I’m proud to be part of a company that drives this transformation.”

Maricruz Bravo and the construction team at the early construction site for Flower’s battery park in Kungälv.

The power of the female perspective

Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) is a field where large-scale infrastructure of the future are developed. It is also where the gender gap is one of the widest, says Maricruz.

“The female perspective is essential across all industries, but in EPC, it’s critically needed. The work involves dealing with multiple stakeholders, navigating different personalities and agendas, and pushing projects forward. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to see things from different perspectives are therefore crucial. Women tend to excel in these areas,” she says.

Empowered by a sustainable vision

Ever since she moved to Sweden to pursue further studies in Sustainability Science, Maricruz has been inspired by the potential of next-generation energy solutions – especially since she joined Flower.

“From day one, I was in awe of Flower’s mission and technology. I was fortunate that my skills aligned with the company’s vision. Now, I’m proud to be part of building the critical infrastructure that will accelerate the energy transition. It’s challenging and complex – and I enjoy all of it.”