Meet the Women in the SICA Energy Transition: Yanin Maria Morales Chow

GWNET brings you the 10th instalment of the “Meet the Women in the SICA Energy Transition” series which celebrates the work and achievements of the women who are part of the Women in the SICA Energy Transition Mentoring Programme. This programme is made up of 38 mentee-mentor tandems, with mentees from 7 countries. Meet SICA mentee, Yanin Maria Morales Chow, a Renewables Energy Analyst in Nicaragua.

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What do you love most about what you do?

What I love most is that I can contribute to the management of projects that seek the use of renewable energies for the benefit of the population of the country.

2) What were your goals when you started working in the energy sector? How have these evolved?

When I started in the energy sector my goal was to have a good performance in my job in the long term. Now, I also consider it necessary to periodically strengthen my skills, and to the extent of my possibilities share my knowledge, especially with female colleagues if there is an opportunity to do so.

3) What are the opportunities for sustainable energy in your country?

Renewable energies have a share of approximately 74% in Nicaragua’s energy matrix. The country still has untapped potential for distributed renewable energy generation between geothermal, hydroelectricity, wind, solar and biomass. In addition, there is a specific legal framework to promote investments in renewable energy.

4) What challenges have you faced in the sector? Can you tell us how you overcame (or are overcoming) this challenge(s)?

I consider the main challenge to be the shortage of specialized technical training related to renewable energy management in the country, which has motivated me to seek training opportunities on my own and has allowed me to strengthen my knowledge.

5) Where would you like to be in 5 years and how can this mentoring programme support you?

In 5 years I would like to continue working in the energy sector, in a position where I also could help other women to develop in this sector.

This mentoring program can support me by giving me advice from my mentor, helping me to focus on my goals, allowing me to network to strengthen my knowledge, and growing professionally.

6) What advice would you give to women hoping to join the sustainable energy sector?

I would offer them this quote from Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

Read more about GWNET’s mentoring programmes here.