Masdar News

Masdar's Alya Al Naqbi highlights pivotal role of women in energy

01 Sep 2020
Clean Energy, Corporate

Alya Al Naqbi, Interface and Project Control Manager at Masdar, highlighted the power of resilience and shared her extensive experience in the energy sector in an interview with Kul Al Usra magazine, an Arabic-language lifestyle magazine.

Published on the occasion of Emirati Women’s Day, the interview covered Al Naqbi’s work on prominent regional projects, the challenges she has faced in her career so far, and the importance of female representation in the sector.

Speaking on her experience working on several high-profile projects during her career so far with Masdar, Al Naqbi said:

“I am proud to have contributed to the development of several regional projects, including Dhofar Wind Power Plant, which has a capacity of 50 MW and is considered the first wind power plant with this level of service facilities in the region. I am currently working on the pioneering waste-to-energy plant in Sharjah through the Emirates Waste-to-Energy Company, which was established through a partnership between Masdar and Bee'ah.”

She also commended Masdar’s training and development opportunities, recognizing the countless opportunities available for women:

“Working at Masdar has given me the opportunity to work with the latest technologies in the clean energy sector and allowed me to further develop my skills. Employees also have access to a number of training programs, and young Emirati women receive continuous support in their professional development, in line with the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership in promoting the role of women and their participation in all fields of society.”

On the obstacles she has faced, and what she has done to overcome them, Al Naqbi stressed that resilience, and balancing her responsibilities is key:

“The UAE is a world leader in female empowerment, and I have been fortunate to not face any difficulties related to the perception of women working. With that said, every job has its own unique challenges, and for me the biggest challenge was to prove my availability and abilities in a job that requires a great deal of patience and at times, working long hours. However, thanks to the confidence and support I received from Masdar and my family, I was able to overcome these difficulties, and today I look forward to participating in more projects, further developing my skills and experiences in order to continue serving my great country.”

Al Naqbi concluded by emphasizing that the energy sector would benefit from the skills and participation of women, encouraging Emirati women to pursue all opportunities:
“My advice to the Emirati woman is not to put an end to her ambitions. Everything is available to you, persevere and work with effort and sincerity, and, God willing, you will achieve all your goals.”