Felista Mana is a stickler for details. On a typical day, you will find her viewing and interpreting volumes of data which is used for making crucial decisions about power demand and supply in Kenya.
As one of LTWP’s Systems Operators, she plays an important role in running our substation, a role that involves ensuring all our 365 turbines are functioning optimally 24 hours a day, all year round.
Her journey in renewable energy is one of resilience, authenticity and courage. “Working in this (energy) industry has shown me the importance of staying true to myself, even when the environment can be challenging,” she says.
Before joining LTWP, Felista worked in the thermal energy sector, where she started her career. It is here that she witnessed firsthand the environmental impact of fossil fuel emissions. “Seeing the fumes released into the air each day troubled me as I understood the consequences for our planet and future generations. I realized I wanted to be part of the solution, not the problem. Renewable energy, particularly wind, provides a promising path toward decarbonizing the industry and achieving our net-zero goals. So, when the opportunity to transition to the wind energy sector arose, I seized it enthusiastically,” explains Felista.
Childhood dreams
As a young girl living in Laikipia and partly in Turkana Felista dreamed of becoming many things – a lawyer, a doctor or an engineer. While in middle school, her interests shifted to journalism. “I was (and still am) passionate about writing and imagined myself as an Editor one day. However, things took a new turn in high school when I discovered a love for physical science,” she says.
While selecting her university course, Felista picked Zetech University for a diploma in electrical engineering and IT from KCA University. She was lucky to find supportive lecturers and a community that helped her thrive. Looking back, she says she has no regrets as it has been a fulfilling professional journey ever since.
Felista joined our Tech Department in 2020 and was one of two women in the department. She notes that Loiyangalani’s remote location presents additional challenges, especially for women employees who must juggle work and family. “These factors, I believe, contribute significantly to the challenge of attracting more female employees to our team,” observes Felista, adding that while the energy sector has seen an increase in female representation, she feels it is still a male-dominated industry.
Role of a Systems Operator
Felista’s tray is always full. On a typical day, she has to monitor the performance of turbines and other systems to ensure everything is functioning optimally. This involves keeping an eye on parameters such as wind speeds, turbine output, power generation levels, and system health. “System Operators also manage and adjust power output from the wind plant to match the grid’s demand. This is done through close coordination with our colleagues at KPLC’s National Control Centre to ensure stable electricity supply without causing fluctuations,” she says.
When issues arise, such as turbine maintenance, grid connection problems, or reductions in wind speeds, our System Operators quickly identify and troubleshoot them to minimise impact on consumers.
Other roles include implementing safety protocols during high-wind or storm events and shutting down turbines if necessary to protect both equipment and personnel, gathering data on turbine performance, energy output, and weather conditions to analyse plant efficiency identifying areas for improvement and coordinating with maintenance teams.
“When turbines require maintenance or repairs, system operators coordinate with technicians to safely schedule and execute maintenance tasks, aiming to minimize operational interruptions,” explains Felista.
Work-life balance
Felista says one of the challenges of the job is the rotating shift schedule. “Switching between night and day shifts disrupts my body’s natural rhythm, making it difficult to maintain consistent energy levels and focus”, she notes.
To ensure she is always on top of her game, Felista maintains a strict sleep routine, regardless of her shift and prioritizes proper nutrition and exercise to keep her energy levels steady. She also sets aside short breaks during shifts to help her stay alert.
Since she has to work away from her family, Felista has built a community with our fellow employees working on the site. “We organize small gatherings, celebrate milestones, and support each other, which helps make the environment more enjoyable and keeps morale high. Creating this sense of camaraderie at work has been essential for building a support network and making the most of our time on-site,” she adds.
Wind energy conference
Felista recently participated as a panellist at the 2024 Wind Energy conference in Hamburg, Germany where she discussed Africa’s potential to power its future through wind energy. “I emphasized that Africa could be at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution if we address some key areas strategically. One central message was the importance of public-private partnerships. For Africa to achieve large-scale wind energy adoption, collaboration between government and industry is essential to build the necessary infrastructure and attract investment,” she says.
She also discussed the critical role of building local skills by investing in training programs that will equip local communities with the expertise needed to operate and maintain these projects, creating jobs and ensuring sustainable development.
Achievements
Felista says one of her achievements is optimising the wind turbine control systems and achieving an availability rate of over 98%, which is outstanding for any power plant globally. Her contributions in monitoring performance and responding quickly to issues have helped maximise output and reinforce safety protocols.
Felista encourages women to embrace their contributions confidently, even in male-dominated environments. “Your voice is valuable, and sharing your insights establishes your presence,” she advises.
She is optimistic about the future of wind energy in Africa and envisions it as a key contributor to sustainable growth and energy security. She hopes to play an active role in advocating for supportive policies, engaging local communities, and serving as a role model for women in the sector.
Outside work, Felista enjoys table tennis, reading, and coding. Her favourite book, Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson, has helped her understand different personality types and communication styles. Her coding hobby, focused on data analysis and machine learning, complements her role by keeping her updated on tech trends.
As a parting shot, Felista says: “Act with confidence and own your accomplishments.” She wants her story to inspire others to pursue their passions with the same determination that drives her forward in her career.
