Dionne Nugent: A power player in energy

WITH a kinetic aura, Dionne Nugent is a force of nature — charismatic, driven, and impossible to forget. Whether she’s leading a project or simply sharing a laugh, beneath her warmth and humility lies a relentless work ethic that has defined her journey in the energy sector.

A stalwart in the industry, Nugent has been recognised as one of the Canadian High Commission’s Women in Energy 2025 honourees, a prestigious accolade celebrating her decades-long contributions to the industry. She was among four Jamaican women recognised, alongside Michelle Chin Lenn of Wigton Energy Limited; Dr Ruth Potopsingh, energy consultant; and Ava Tomlin of BMR Jamaica Wind.

With a career spanning over three impactful decades at the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), receiving this award was still a humbling experience.

“I didn’t see this one coming. I know people recognise my work, but I never thought about an award. It’s overwhelming in the best way. But, it’s also a reminder that there’s still so much more to do,” Nugent said.

A proud graduate of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St Augustine campus in Trinidad, she earned her Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and went on to complete two master’s degrees — one in engineering management from The UWI St Augustine and another in power systems analysis from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom.

Nugent’s journey at JPS began straight out of university, starting in substation engineering where she played a critical role in designing and constructing key infrastructure, including substations like the one at Six Miles in St Andrew. Her early career also saw her tackling energy losses, a complex area that required both technical expertise and strategic intervention.

“Losses have to do with two things — you can have natural losses by virtue of transmission of power, and you have theft, where people are illegally extracting energy. It was a totally different space, requiring engineering, data analytics, and creative solutions to reduce inefficiencies,” she recalled.

Pioneering energy initiatives

Now the director of business development at JPS, she has been at the forefront of some of Jamaica’s most transformative energy projects.

“I’ve been fortunate to work in a company that offers so many different opportunities. I’ve worked in substations, system operations, planning, and generation projects. Each role expanded my understanding of the sector and allowed me to contribute meaningfully,” she said.

One of her most significant early projects was the commissioning of the Wigton Wind Farm, Jamaica’s first large-scale wind energy project.

“Renewables were new to the utility at the time. JPS had no precedent for how to integrate these systems, and I had to lead the technical efforts to ensure we developed the right standards to maintain grid security,” Nugent said.

She was also instrumental in transitioning Jamaica to natural gas, working closely with the Government and global suppliers. Beyond large-scale projects, she has also led initiatives in distributed energy and industrial partnerships, including a groundbreaking collaboration with Caribbean Broilers on a 10MW combined heat and power project.

Currently, she is leading Jamaica’s charge towards electrified transportation.

“Electric vehicles are one of the major options for decarbonising our transportation sector, and electricity is the new fuel. Our role at JPS has been not just to build the charging infrastructure, but to ensure that banks, insurers, and even mechanics are prepared for this transition. We are creating an entire ecosystem,” Nugent said.

Being a woman in energy

In a field traditionally dominated by men, Nugent has remained steadfast in her mission to pave the way for other women in engineering.

“When I was in grade six I told my classmates I wanted to be an engineer and a little boy laughed at me, saying I couldn’t do it. And well, the rest is history,” she chuckled.

Though the industry is male-dominated, she’s been fortunate to receive strong support, and Nugent acknowledges the invaluable support she has received.

“I have to big up the men I’ve worked with; many of them have been fantastic mentors and collaborators. We have to work together to get the job done,” she said.

Her message to young women entering the field is simple, “Go for it. Do not be daunted by other people’s opinions of what you can achieve. Push past the negativity and prove to yourself that you belong.”

She also emphasises the importance of authenticity. “Just be you. People think engineering is for ‘rougher’ girls, but I’ve always embraced my womanhood in all forms. Whether I’m in my hard hat and safety boots or my white pantsuit and heels, I remain true to myself.”

With her passion for innovation, partnerships, and sustainable energy, Nugent continues to shape Jamaica’s energy future.

“Jamaica is an exciting place. People from all over the world want to test new ideas here. If what I’ve done so far has created value then there’s even more ahead — and I’m ready for it,” she said.