‘Do not wait until you feel completely ready’

I never imagined that I would work in renewable energy. Then I realised how difficult it is to imagine a future without energy: it is part of who we are, how we live, produce and build our communities. The real challenge is not whether we will need energy, but how we choose to produce it, share it and manage its impact.

Working in the legal department of a company operating in the energy sector has taught me that the transition is never simply about technology, infrastructure or regulation. Every project has a tangible impact on people and territories and belongs to an ecosystem where technical, legal, economic and social expertise must learn to interact. I entered this world as a legal professional and quickly discovered that staying comfortably within legal boundaries was not really an option. That is probably what continues to fascinate me.

Being a young woman in a still predominantly male industry has sometimes meant earning credibility before having the opportunity to fully demonstrate my abilities. Overall, however, my experiences have been overwhelmingly positive. I have always preferred results to introductions and, I admit, being underestimated does not bother me too much; it makes the result more satisfying. I have also learned that expertise does not mean knowing everything. It means recognising what we do not know, remaining curious enough to learn and gradually turning our limitations into new skills.

Trust has been fundamental throughout this journey. I have been fortunate to work with a CEO who valued what I could already bring, encouraged me to develop new skills and, above all, gave me the space and time to build my own professional identity rather than expecting me to become a reflection of someone else. As a legal professional, I place enormous value on the intuitus personae that grows through competence, reliability and the quality of professional relationships. Today, I believe it is equally important to give others the trust and space that were given to me.

One of my most important proving grounds has been Italia Rinnovabile, which I co-founded and helped build from a legal perspective, from its foundations through its continuing evolution. I am also particularly proud of supporting Renewable Energy Communities in Verona and Forlì-Cesena, from start-up through to management. Every experience brings new perspectives. In my work, one size rarely fits all, and when it does, I tend to be suspicious. Every project has its own identity, needs and challenges: the real task is to build the legal solution that best fits its reality.

The same applies to people. I work predominantly with men, but I have never seen my work as an interaction between men and women. I meet people and professionals I can learn from and to whom I can contribute something in return. We do not always agree, and that is often where the interesting part begins. Respect, however, remains non-negotiable, even when firmly defending our positions. Ultimately, we are working towards the same goal: the better the quality of our dialogue, the better the outcome we can build together.

To a young woman entering this industry today, I would say: stay curious, do not wait until you feel completely ready, and, above all, do not be discouraged by difficulties; turn them into your strength. Study, work and listen, but never lose your own identity. And have fun. Taking your work seriously does not mean taking yourself too seriously. Enthusiasm and enjoyment fuel curiosity, creativity and courage. Sometimes, the most interesting opportunities arise precisely in places where we never imagined we would find ourselves.

Angelica Almi is an in-house legal professional, qualified to practise law in Italy, and Head of Legal at Kataclima S.r.l. Società Benefit, where she focuses on energy and renewable energy law, corporate contracts, company law, regulatory compliance and relations with public authorities and institutional stakeholders. She is also Co-Founder of Italia Rinnovabile Società Cooperativa Benefit, contributing to the legal and regulatory development of Renewable Energy Communities and their organisational and financing models. She holds a Law degree and a postgraduate Master’s degree in Cooperative Enterprise: Economics, Law and Management. Her work combines legal expertise, a business-oriented perspective and a strong focus on the impact of the energy transition on territories and communities.

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