With a PhD in Electrical Engineering and nearly two decades of experience in the energy sector, Nahidul plays an essential role in ensuring the safe and reliable operation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s electricity system. Nahidul is a professional and inclusive leader, who is proud to be a part of Hydro’s IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) Ambassador team, and an active volunteer, passionate about continuous learning, teamwork, collaboration and helping others grow.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I have always been passionate about power systems and the role they play in supporting our communities. My academic journey in Electrical and Electronics Engineering led me to Memorial University of Newfoundland, where I completed both my Master’s and PhD in Electrical Engineering – and found a place I am proud to call home.

I am passionate about continuous learning, teamwork, and helping others grow – both professionally and personally. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, giving back to my community, mentoring aspiring engineers and publishing academic papers in my field.

Remaining actively engaged in professional development and giving back in my community is an important part of who I am – it reminds me that even small contributions can make a big difference.

Describe your role here at Hydro.

I joined Hydro in 2013, so it has been more than a decade of learning, teamwork, and growth. Over that time, I have had the opportunity to work in several engineering areas – from hydro generation to protection and control and system operations.

Now, as a Senior System Operation Engineer, my main goal is to make sure our provincial electricity system operates safely, efficiently, and reliably every single day. Every day brings new challenges, and no two days are ever quite the same – and that’s part of what makes this work so fulfilling.

But generally, my work focuses on maintaining system reliability and supporting safe operations. I work closely with operators in our Energy Control Centre (ECC) and planners, engineers and technical teams across our organization, to plan and coordinate day‑to‑day system operations. We analyze performance, assess system conditions and plan activities to help ensure our system is ready to respond quickly whenever an unexpected disruption occurs.

A large part of my work also focuses on developing and maintaining training programs that prepare our ECC operators to manage real‑world scenarios with confidence.

What made you want to come to work at Hydro?

To me, Hydro has always represented engineering excellence and positive community impact. I started with Hydro over a decade ago, and what has kept me here is the meaningful work we do every single day. Every study, every training session, every improvement to our systems, directly supports reliable and safe power for the people of our province.

I also value the company’s strong culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous learning. As someone passionate about technology and education, I appreciate that Hydro encourages both innovation and professional growth.

What’s something about your job you think people may not know?

Most people may not realize how much planning and teamwork it takes behind the scenes to ensure that electricity is always available when you need it. Keeping our system reliable requires constant coordination, strong communication, and ongoing learning.

It is truly a team effort – the senior leadership team, engineers, ECC operators, planners, and field crews all play critical roles in keeping our system running smoothly. Much of this work happens quietly, but its impact is visible in every home, business and community across the province.

What role do you play in ensuring Hydro can provide safe, reliable power to our customers?

Everything Hydro does depends on system reliability - and that reliability depends on our people, teams all across Hydro who are working to keep the lights on for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. This includes the work my team and I do here at Hydro. We monitor operations, anticipate potential issues, and guide safe, coordinated responses when challenges arise — making sure our teams are ready for anything.

My job helps ensure we stay one step ahead of potential issues and that our teams can act decisively when needed. Without that constant focus, the stability and safety of the system would be compromised. It is a responsibility I take seriously, knowing the work we do affects every community we serve.

What’s the most rewarding thing about your job?

The most rewarding part is seeing the results of careful teamwork and planning pay off - when our system performs as expected and we help ensure reliable service for the people of this province.

Also, Hydro’s culture of respect and inclusion means a lot to me and, as an IDEA Ambassador, I’m proud to help promote an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. Hydro is filled with talented, dedicated individuals who share their knowledge freely and always strive for improvement. The willingness to share knowledge, collaborate, and support one another creates a workplace that continuously inspires growth, which keeps me motivated to bring my best to everything I do – both as an engineer and as a person.