22
Oct

On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 17 female engineers from the Women in Engineering chapter (WiE) of the Institute of Engineers in Rwanda (IER) visited the Nyabarongo II Hydropower Project, a significant ongoing megaproject in Rwanda. This field visit, supported by Rwanda Energy Group (REG), allowed the women to gain first-hand insights into large-scale infrastructure development.

Nyabarongo II HPP is a multipurpose hydropower project designed to generate an installed capacity of 43.5 MW, with an average annual energy output of 281.9 GWh. The project will operate for about 6,480 hours annually and features an innovative dam design that captured the attention of the visiting engineers.

The visitors expressed their gratitude to both the Women in Engineering chapter and the Government of Rwanda for continually promoting gender diversity in technology and innovation. By exposing women to such impactful projects, Rwanda continues to bridge the gender gap in traditionally male-dominated sectors like engineering and infrastructure.

"We are thankful to the IER/WiE for organizing this insightful visit and to REG for allowing us to explore this pivotal project. It is both inspiring and empowering for women engineers to have access to these opportunities," said Nicole Mukwindi, one of the visitors.

The WiE committee also expressed its appreciation to the Institution (IER) for its unwavering support, acknowledging the importance of providing spaces for women’s empowerment within the engineering sector.

The hydropower project is set to play a crucial role in meeting Rwanda’s growing energy needs through sustainable development.

The group, which included civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers, were enthusiastic about the opportunity to witness the advanced technology being used in the construction of the dam. They engaged in productive discussions with the on-site contractors, who welcomed them warmly, sharing valuable insights into the project's technical aspects. The visit offered the engineers a deeper understanding of how they could apply some of these modern techniques in their own professional endeavors.

The Women in Engineering chapter remains committed to inspiring more women to pursue careers in engineering, aiming to further enhance gender representation in Rwanda’s infrastructure development. The visit to Nyabarongo II serves as an excellent platform for learning, networking, and motivating the next generation of female engineers.