03 Mar 2025

Celebrating a POWERful Woman in energy: Tania Moreira's AMEI CEng MICE story

Tania Moreira AMEI CEng MICE, Senior Vice President of Technical and Innovation at Masdar has been active in the renewable energy sector since 2008 and joined Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, in 2023. She is currently the Senior Vice President of Technical and Innovation for Global Offshore Wind. Prior to this Tania worked in the Asia Pacific region where she held various senior roles advancing the renewable energy industry in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India and Australia. She is a Chartered Civil Engineer, serves on the Board of Directors for a number of offshore wind farms and has actively participated in multiple industry projects, steering committees and Women in Leadership Mentorship programmes.

1. What was it that inspired you to work in energy?

My inspiration comes from the desire to create a better, more environmentally friendly world for future generations and contribute to a fairer, more equal society by enhancing diversity and implementing behavioural changes at the executive level. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of collaborating with highly skilled industry leaders who have helped me expand my innovative thinking. These experiences have provided me with opportunities to learn about different technologies, cultures, and perspectives. Developing renewable projects, especially in new markets, is challenging, but the steep learning curve is incredibly rewarding.

2. Were there any pivotal moments

I often say that renewables are in my genes, as my father dedicated his entire career to hydroelectric power generation. Growing up, I frequently visited hydroelectric power stations and was always impressed by the scale of these infrastructures and the extensive efforts required from early development through to operations. Listening to my father and his colleagues discuss the challenges of constructing these massive projects inspired me to pursue an engineering career and to educating and positively influencing the energy industry regarding the role of women engineers in society.

3. What does a typical day look like as a leader in energy?

In my current role at Masdar as SVP of Technical and Innovation, my daily tasks are diverse. They include building up the in-house Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) team by liaising with HR on recruitment plans, conducting interviews, selecting candidates, onboarding, and line managing them. I also support our ongoing projects as a member of the Board of Directors and assist with M&A transactions.

In addition, I represent Masdar at conferences and industry forums. So there is never a dull day; many things happen simultaneously, so multi-tasking is essential to managing my responsibilities. Travelling is part of the business, and you can expect to be on the move constantly.

My passion for implementing new technologies and services through research and development, with a strong focus on risk management, means that every day, I promote a culture of information-sharing and lessons learned within my team. I advocate for a positive, constructive, and cooperative approach to problem-solving, bringing together a diverse range of expertise. Teamwork and transparency are essential for achieving sustainable long-term goals while reducing risk exposure.

The programme offers both theoretical and practical knowledge to enhance understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the energy sector. For me, however, the most valuable aspect was the diversity within the group and the open dialogue it facilitated. While I have worked across various regions and cultures, it was particularly enlightening to hear perspectives from the Global South, especially regarding their views on net zero."

Tania Moreira AMEI CEng MICE, Senior Vice President of Technical and Innovation at Masdar

4. You were recently nominated for, and took part in, the Energy Institute's Executive Leadership in Energy Programme. Who put you forward and why did they feel you'd be ideally placed for the programme?

I was nominated by our Offshore Wind Managing Director. To be honest, I did not inquire about the specific reasons for my nomination, but I chose to embrace the opportunity. Having been in the industry for an extended period and having participated in various leadership programmes, I recognise the importance of continuously investing in skill development, particularly as the industry evolves. Taking a step back and gaining insights from different perspectives can be truly inspirational.

Executive Leadership in Energy Programme

5. How has the programme benefited you as a leader equipped to navigate the energy transition?

The programme offers both theoretical and practical knowledge to enhance understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the energy sector. For me, however, the most valuable aspect was the diversity within the group and the open dialogue it facilitated. While I have worked across various regions and cultures, it was particularly enlightening to hear perspectives from the Global South, especially regarding their views on net zero. It became evident that the Global North often underestimates the challenges faced by underdeveloped countries. I am eager to further educate myself on the challenges facing the Global South and to collaborate with them in navigating this transition.

The Energy Institute and world-leading business school, Hult Ashridge Executive Education, are delighted to be collaborating on the Executive Leadership in Energy Programme.

This split two-week programme will equip tomorrow's leaders with the system-wide thinking, skills and network to navigate and lead transformational change and to shape the energy system of the future.

6. Was there a standout challenge that a fellow leader from the Global South highlighted the need to overcome, in order to get to net zero?

One of the discussions focused on addressing knowledge gaps and financing mechanisms for African countries. The financing gap remains significant, as emerging economies, which already struggle to attract investment for basic infrastructure development, now also need to mitigate climate change.

I learnt to be more conscious; it is not only about transitioning to clean energy but also ensuring justice in the transition process. This involves quantifying and addressing inequalities. When I first heard that Brazil was hosting COP in Belém, my initial thought was that it was an interesting choice compared to Rio… Global leaders need to experience firsthand the impact on the rainforest and the lack of infrastructure to better understand these inequalities.

7. What's your best way to find inspiration when you're feeling stuck or unmotivated?

I usually reach out to my family and industry mentors for guidance and support. I once asked my 77-year-old industry colleague why he continued to wake up each morning and go to work instead of retiring. He responded: "because I learn something new every day in this role". They have always showed me the importance of being kind, caring for others and protecting our environment.

I also believe that when some things go wrong, we need to take a moment to be grateful for the many things that went right – when you handle your obstacles with confidence and patience you will get through the end line even if the wind is blowing against you. When we join forces, we can make a positive impact, some people will test you; some will bring out the best of you; everyone will teach you something.

8. Can you recommend any books, podcasts, videos, etc., that have inspired and motivated you in your career?

I love reading, and one book that recently impacted me is "Transforming Nokia, The Power of Paranoid Optimism to Lead Through Colossal Change". It discusses the importance of an open learning culture and the consequences of avoiding honesty. I believe in embracing challenges and addressing issues openly to solve problems collaboratively. An excerpt from the book that serves as a daily reminder for me is: "We will never build a sustainable culture of competitiveness and constant renewal without being able to cast a critical eye on ourselves".

9. How do you relax and unwind after a long day?

My fondest childhood memories include riding my bike and playing tennis. Even now, outdoor sports are still my favourite activities but with the cold weather, yoga has kept me going until summer arrives.

In addition to exercising, listening to music and reading a good book are part of my relaxation routine, but I will never rule out an adventure, such as paragliding!

10. As a leader in the energy sector, what does an ideal energy future look like to you?

The industry is currently facing several critical challenges, including supply chain bottlenecks, rising capital expenditure (CAPEX), increasing interest rates, infrastructure readiness, and geopolitical instability.

Despite these challenges, the renewable energy sector continues to experience steady growth and has made significant steps in the deployment of advanced technologies. For example, my first renewable energy project was the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm in 2008, which at the time was the world's largest offshore wind farm with 100 3MW wind turbines. Today, turbine manufacturers are introducing turbines exceeding 20MW! And I am now working on a 3GW project (Dogger Bank South) which makes Thanet looks quite small. There has been substantial growth in other technologies, like battery storage capacity.

I am confident that the industry will continue to collaborate effectively and drive meaningful technological advancements toward a greener future. However, to attract investment and build a robust supply chain, the sector requires long-term government support mechanisms. Through transparent dialogue, I hope the energy sector and governments can find a balanced approach to developing a greener and more efficient future.