As part of International Women in Engineering Day on 23 June, we're hearing from female engineers about their experiences and how they're encouraging more women and girls to consider engineering as a career.
Johana Durán Santos, a Project Manager in our Strategy and Regulation team, shares her career journey.
At heart, I’m a Mechatronics Engineer with an MBA in Energy Management, trained across mechanics, electrics, automation, and systems thinking.
This wasn’t the easiest path, but it taught me how to solve complex problems, connect disciplines, and think holistically.
Coming from a family of engineers (all men), I became the first female engineer in my family. My degree is something I carry with pride, and it continues to motivate me to inspire others to follow a similar journey.
My journey began in the oil and gas sector, where I supported the establishment and growth of one of the first private Exploration and Production (E&P) companies in Mexico. It was an incredible experience, but I knew I wanted to contribute something bigger to help shape a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Four years ago, I moved to Scotland in search of that next challenge, and I was fortunate to find my place at SGN. Since then, I’ve been building a career that truly inspires me - one that continues to shape my passions and the impact I want to make.
Over the past few years, I’ve led a range of projects focused on decarbonising our gas network. Two of the most rewarding ones are:
- The Real-Time Settlement Methodology (RTSM) programme, which is a critical step in transforming how we measure and settle gas usage. It brings together the gas networks, National Energy System Operator (NESO), Xoserve, Ofgem, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and other key stakeholders such as Centrica to enable more accurate, transparent, and fair billing, while supporting the increased uptake of green gases.
Its impact reaches all of us: every household, every business and the wider energy system. We all pay for the gas we use, so fairness really matters. For me, it's about modernising the foundations of our billing system to ensure fairness for everyone - not just today, but for the future - while making decarbonisation truly scalable. You can learn more about the programme here.
- The Biomethane Islands initiative explores how we can decarbonise parts of our network using locally produced biomethane, eliminating the need for propanation while supporting circular economies and community resilience. This is an opportunity to rethink how we design resilience and low-carbon communities.
I have absolutely loved the challenges of being involved in both these projects.
The best thing about my role is that it enables me to be at my best, combining the things I like the most: applying my knowledge to create a brighter future and working with amazing people. It is so varied that I never get bored, and I learn new things every day.
I want to encourage more girls into engineering. Being part of driving meaningful change excites me, and I hope to inspire others to feel proud of the legacy they can build and the positive impacts they can have on the future, just as I do.
