Women in Sustainable Hydropower Case Study: Camila Costa De Oliveira
Meet Camila Costa De Oliveira, a Pre-Operation Engineer working for ENGIE Brasil.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at ENGIE?
My name is Camila, I'm 33 years old, a mother, and I hold a degree in Hydraulic Engineering. I joined ENGIE in 2016 as an intern. Currently, I work as a Pre-Operation Engineer. I am responsible for scheduling the generation of hydroelectric plants, defining daily how much each plant will generate the next day. I also work on issues related to the operational hydrology of reservoirs, which includes ensuring control of water levels and meeting multiple water use needs, whether social, environmental, or economic. Additionally, I oversee critical events control, such as floods and droughts. I take great satisfaction in working in this field; I love what I do and I am very proud to be part of the ENGIE team.
As a successful female role model for other women interested in working in the hydropower industry what advice would you give them?
My advice to women is to believe in their potential and not be afraid to pursue their dreams and goals. Have confidence in your abilities and the value you can bring to the workplace. Always seek to enhance your knowledge and skills and invest in your education and professional development. Be courageous. Take risks and assert yourselves in situations where you deem it necessary. Draw inspiration from other successful female role models and cultivate a support network, surrounding yourselves with people who support and encourage you. Most importantly, don't lose your essence. The richness of diversity lies precisely in creating a heterogeneous environment, with diverse experiences and realities that are often complementary.
Why do you think the industry has historically fallen behind in establishing female representation and how do you think this can be changed so we no longer need to have these conversations?
The underrepresentation of women in the hydroelectric industry can be attributed to various historical and structural factors. For me, the foundational factor begins with professional education, as many girls may not show interest in technical courses precisely because they don't see future opportunities and may lack female role models in the field. Additionally, work in the hydroelectric industry often involves physical field conditions, historically assigned to men.
To effect change, it's necessary to motivate and encourage girls to pursue technical career courses. It's crucial to show them that this reality is possible and achievable. But first and foremost, there needs to be a driving force for female presence to become a reality in this sector. The initial steps we are taking, expanding female representation, serves as an example and inspiration for other women and strengthens inclusive culture within the industry.
IHA has joined forces with GWNet to create Women In Sustainable Hydropower (WISH), a space where women in, and interested in, a career in hydropower can connect, share experiences and provide support to other women. This will help guarantee the development of a gender-balanced sector that makes the most of 100% of the global workforce available for driving the clean energy transition.
