Moise Mulamba Kalonji: New Mainer & Electrical Engineering Student Sees Bright Future in Clean Energy

Moise Mulamba Kalonji of Portland, a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is an electrical engineering student at Southern Maine Community College. With a passion and global experience in solar, Moise is excited by the opportunities renewable energy presents for his future - and for Maine’s environment and economy.

Why did you choose Maine to live and study?

Prior to the U.S., I earned an engineering degree from the American Christian Liberal Arts University in Kinshasa, studied engineering and energy project management at Technische Universität Berlin, and worked for Greening Africa Together to promote solar energy and access to clean water. When I came to the U.S., I heard that Maine was safe and welcoming to immigrants, and the future here is bright in the clean-energy fields in which I want to work.

What do you want to achieve in clean energy?

My passion is solar, and I want to own my own solar energy company someday. My experiences in Africa and Europe showed me the great potential for clean energy to improve our environment and our economy, which is a sentiment I share with many of my classmates at SMCC. We are all excited about the opportunities the renewable-energy industry could have for us and for Maine.

What should be considered for this Plan as it moves forward?

There is more to be done to ensure new Mainers like me have access to the clean-energy economy, as energy consumers and also to support its growing workforce needs. We must think boldly about our actions and realize what we do in Maine has an effect across the world. And we should rise to the challenge before us — I’m proud to be here for the greening of Maine, and ask others to join in and help our state thrive against climate change.