Silvija Božilova, a civil engineer at HanPut-Plus, began her professional path at the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sofia and continued through work on demanding infrastructure projects in Bulgaria and Serbia, from the Sofia metro to the Čibuk 2 wind park. Her story shows how passion for creation and responsibility toward the community turn into tangible results that last for decades.
On construction sites, she mastered challenges of geology, logistics, and coordination of numerous contractors, while in renewable energy projects she discovered how important it is for civil engineers to think broadly, not only about concrete and reinforcement, but about the entire energy system. As part of the HanPut-Plus team, she participated in building foundations for wind turbines, where more than a million kilograms of reinforcement and thousands of cubic meters of concrete were installed, with work proceeding continuously.
In an interview for RES Serbia, she reveals how obstacles are overcome through teamwork and transparency, why it is important for more women to be involved in renewable energy projects, and how a shared network of experts strengthens the entire sector in Serbia.
You graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sofia. What inspired you to choose civil engineering as a profession and to focus on infrastructure projects that shape people’s everyday lives?
– Already in high school, it was clear to me that I wanted something concrete, that what I do has visible results and that people use it every day. Civil engineering was a natural choice because it combines thinking with practical creation.
My studies at the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sofia further directed me toward infrastructure projects. I realized how roads, railways, metro systems, and energy facilities affect quality of life and community development. That awareness, that I was contributing to something that would last for decades, was decisive in choosing this path.
You worked on major infrastructure undertakings in Bulgaria and Serbia, from the Sofia metro to the Čibuk 2 wind park. Which of these projects do you consider the most challenging, and why? What is specific about renewable energy projects compared to other projects you have worked on?
– I had the opportunity to work on different projects, each challenging in its own way. I worked on demanding infrastructure projects such as the Sofia metro, where challenges were related to geology, the urban environment, and organizing works in densely populated areas.
If I had to single out one, I would mention Čibuk 2 as particularly challenging precisely because it combines classical civil engineering with very specific energy requirements.
Renewable energy projects differ from “standard” construction projects in that technical and environmental standards are extremely strict, and coordination with electrical and mechanical disciplines is highly intensive. Every decision on site has a direct impact on the future operation of the facility, so civil engineers are required to think more broadly, not only about embankments, concrete, or reinforcement, but about the entire energy system in which the facility will later operate.
You recently joined the HanPut-Plus team from Vladičin Han. Can you share specific challenges from the Čibuk 2 wind park construction site and how you overcame them?
– At the Čibuk 2 wind park we faced typical construction challenges, but in a somewhat “enlarged” version, numerous locations, weather conditions, material logistics, coordination of multiple contractors.
At certain positions, it was necessary to adapt project solutions to actual conditions on the ground, which meant quick decision-making, additional testing, and constant communication with supervisors and designers.
As part of the HanPut-Plus team, we worked on building 11 foundations for wind turbines, installing approximately 1,144,000 kg of reinforcement, 9,020 m³ of concrete, and 495 CFA piles. Work proceeded without interruption, continuously, which required very precise planning and coordination of all participants.
We tried to “catch” every problem in time, through good preparation, open communication, and detailed quality control. Transparency, teamwork, and readiness not to hide challenges but to solve them together, in my experience, that was the key to keeping the project on track despite all difficulties.
What do you consider crucial for more women to be included in renewable energy and infrastructure projects, and how can their visibility and contribution be encouraged?
– It is crucial that girls receive the message early on that they are equally welcome in technical fields as their male colleagues. It is important that during schooling and their first professional steps they have support to choose civil engineering, energy, or other technical disciplines, without being told that it is “too hard” or “not for women.”
Visible role models play a major role, as does a culture of respect on construction sites, clearly defined procedures, and a serious attitude toward work.
When women are given opportunities and fair conditions, their contribution is truly significant, not only in technical terms, but also in organization, communication, and the way the entire team functions.
What message would you give to young female engineers entering the world of civil engineering and wishing to build a career in renewable energy? What is the role of civil engineers in renewable energy projects?
– I would tell young female engineers not to fear construction sites and not to give up at the first challenge. Civil engineering is not always glamorous; it can be demanding, but the feeling when you pass by a facility you worked on and say “I left my mark here too” is truly priceless.
In renewable energy projects, civil engineers are present from day one, from site investigation and preparation, through foundations for wind turbines, access roads, and assembly platforms, to finishing works and quality control. Without well-executed civil works, there can be no stable operation of a wind farm or any other renewable energy facility.
That is why my advice is: seek responsibility, ask questions, learn from more experienced colleagues.
Čibuk 2, as well as HanPut-Plus, is a member of the Association RES Serbia. How important is networking and exchange of experiences within the community, and how does it contribute to strengthening the renewable energy sector in Serbia?
– Čibuk 2 and HanPut-Plus are members of the Association RES Serbia, and I believe such networking is extremely important for all of us working in the renewable energy sector.
Through the community, experiences from different projects are exchanged more quickly, regulatory changes are easier to follow, and together we influence ensuring that the voice of the profession is heard by decision-makers. This is important both for companies and for individuals: to connect, to learn from each other, and to build a shared standard of work.
In this way, the entire renewable energy sector in Serbia is strengthened, new opportunities for projects, cooperation, and employment are opened, and I believe more young people, including women, will choose to build their careers precisely in this field.