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This International Women's Day, �鶹��Ƶ looks to shine a light on the inspiring women across the hydropower sector that work to keep the lights on.

Andritz Hydro Türkiye's Deputy General Manager Ayşen Özbaş tells her story in her own words:

My deep interest in mathematics was the primary factor that led me to pursue a career in engineering. I obtained my university degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Middle East Technical University (METU). During the first 8 years of my career, I worked in various roles related to semiconductors in the consumer electronics sector and with pioneering companies in the industry. By a bit of coincidence, in 2011, I started working as the Compact Hydro Project Manager at Andritz Hydro Turkey. At the time, I had no knowledge of hydropower or the energy market. However, over time, I came to appreciate the intricate systems and engineering knowledge behind hydropower, and I began to recognize the amazing patterns and combinations that shape the industry.

Each hydropower plant must be redesigned according to its unique conditions, and no two plants share the same circumstances. Therefore, for each project, it is essential to establish specialized teams with the necessary qualifications and ensure they work together in perfect coordination. The technical challenges faced during a project can be completely unexpected, regardless of how experienced you are. Each stage of the project is part of a highly dynamic system with visible outcomes. When done with the right protocols, hydropower represents the cleanest form of energy and has no carbon emissions impact. This concept perfectly aligns with my interest in complex systems and my perspective on environmental impacts.

It is this alignment that has sustained my 14-year journey with Andritz Hydro. Throughout this journey, I have had the privilege of working alongside highly skilled engineers, talented colleagues, and managers. I have had the honour of collaborating on projects with valuable people in the industry and with stakeholders. Their expertise and collaboration have been instrumental in my development and success. After managing projects, I was entrusted with leading the Service Rehabilitation Business Development, which led to the establishment and management of the department. In late 2024, I was appointed Deputy General Manager, and at the beginning of 2025, I took on the additional responsibility of leading the Compact Hydro Business Unit.

Of course, working in a male-dominated industry has not always been easy. Regardless of our different lives and opportunities, the challenges women face and the roles society assigns to them are quite similar. Personally, when I encountered situations where the fact that I was a woman was emphasized, I chose to interpret these as reflecting only the individual opinions of certain people, and not as something related to society or the industry. With confidence in myself and, often, a sense of humour, I was able to quickly overcome these challenges.

I have experienced first-hand that when you truly love what you do and approach it with conviction and integrity, respect naturally follows. As women, we should not take gender discrimination too seriously—this is my belief and the approach I follow. While this mindset may be tested, especially in an industry where women are still relatively few, I firmly believe that perseverance and confidence in our abilities will lead to success.

One of my greatest advantages has been being born in a Republic founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and growing up with parents who deeply valued these principles and respected my choices.

When I observe the younger generation, I see a group of incredibly conscious and hardworking women who know what they want. These women are being raised alongside equally hardworking men who respect and value them. This shift is encouraging, and I believe it represents a promising future for both women and men in the workforce.

Ayşen Özbaş

Head of Service & Rehabilitation

Deputy General Manager Andritz Hydro Türkiye

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