SAWEA Board

SAWEA operates as a common law, voluntary not-for-profit association that represents the South African wind industry. Members include national and international entities active across the wind power supply chain. SAWEA holds an Annual General Meeting in the third quarter of the year. At the AGM a six-member Board of governors is selected based on member nominations. The appointed Board then selects a Chair from its ranks. The Board is primarily concerned with issues of governance and strategy. The National office is headed up by a CEO who is responsible for all operational matters. Thematic work on Policy & markets, operational Assets, Environment, Manufacturing & local content and Technical issues of Wind power generation is undertaken by Working Groups. Collectively the Board, the National office and the Working groups contribute to the realisation of SAWEA’s vision and purpose.

Ntombifuthi Ntuli

Position: CEO

Name	Ntombifuthi Ntuli
Role (within SAWEA)	CEO
Vision for Wind power in South Africa	The 100% renewables vision means that wind power will play a significant role in the future energy system.
What makes SAWEA relevant?	SAWEA is the voice of the wind energy industry in South Africa and a significant link between industry and government.
Why would you encourage someone to become a member?	SAWEA is the most recognised renewable energy industry body in the country. If you are in the wind industry or looking to enter the wind energy space, I’d encourage you to join SAWEA in order to keep yourself updated with latest and current wind energy matters in SA. Benefits of being a member include: Participation in industry working groups where we deal with common challenges that affect the industry including: policy matters, economic development, localisation, technical and asset management issues as well as environmental issues. Opportunities to network, meet and build relationships with other industry peers. Access to industry reports that support wind business in the country Opportunities to build your brand as an expert in the wind energy sector through speaking opportunities and participation in SAWEA advocacy and communications initiatives. Opportunities for prominent brand exposure through first visibility of sponsorship opportunities. Opportunities to participate in SAWEA leadership as working group chair or board member.
Employment / Company / Designation	Research Group Leader: Energy Industry, CSIR Energy Centre.
Years of experience in energy or related sectors	14 Years
Role within the industry	I have played a role in the policy and research environments of promoting the development of local renewable energy industry, local manufacturing of equipment, development of SMMEs and ensuring broad economic impact of the renewable energy industry.

Mercia Grimbeek

Position: Chair

Name	Mercia Grimbeek
Role (within SAWEA)	Board member
Vision for Wind power in South Africa	My vision is to see wind power continuing to be a positive driver of transformation and growth in South Africa.
What makes SAWEA relevant?	SAWEA is more relevant than ever today. It is imperative to have a strong industry body to drive policy within the industry and promote the benefits of clean energy.
Why would you encourage someone to become a member?	The value of collective thinking and learning in a nascent industry is critical. SAWEA membership enables and facilitates these initiatives.
Employment / Company / Designation	3yrs / Mainstream Renewable Power / Compliance Manager.
Years of experience in energy or related sectors	7 years
Role within the industry

Mamoso May

Position: Treasurer

Name	Mamoso May
Role (within SAWEA)	Board member
Vision for Wind power in South Africa	I am of the inherent belief that this business and this industry are at the pinnacle of great change. I am passionate about the potential of South Africa and the systemic transformation of our socio-economic landscape. It brings contentment to know that I am part of something that is actively driving change, providing access to opportunities, educating and skilling people, creating employment, and ultimately providing a clean source of energy to our grid. I believe that the Renewable Energy industry is in a very privileged position. I am encouraged by our industry’s commitment to this socio-economic transformation – and I am driven by the opportunities we can unlock for the creation of a better future.
What makes SAWEA relevant?	I believe that economies of the future will be driven by cooperative engagement of economic stakeholders across value chains – I believe that SAWEA is ahead of its times in that regard, driving active cooperation; shared-learning and influencing the foundations of this new industry in the African landscape.
Why would you encourage someone to become a member?	Given the new-ness of our industry – it is very valuable to gain new perspectives and learn from each other.
Employment / Company / Designation	Dorper Wind Farm – General Manager
Years of experience in energy or related sectors	7 years
Role within the industry	Asset management of operational IPP

Mark Tanton

Name	Mark Tanton
Role (within SAWEA)	Board Member
Vision for Wind power in South Africa	My vision is to add significantly more MW’s to the South African electricity network in a way that appropriately marries the broader needs of South Africa with those of commercial entities active in the market.
What makes SAWEA relevant?	The wind industry is already a significant industrial block in the South African economy. The scale of which will increase significantly over time. SAWEA is the custodian on this industry and as such its relevance is not to be underestimated.
Why would you encourage someone to become a member?	To facilitate the growth of the wind industry and long term sustainability requires a focused engagement with government. This is best done via consensus and a collective approach that only an industry body can do. To ensure that your voice is truly heard you need to be inside the discussion and actively participate in SAWEA.
Employment / Company / Designation	Red Cap Energy – CEO
Years of experience in energy or related sectors	17 years
Role within the industry	Developer and Investor

Dhesen Moodley

Name	Dhesen Moodley
Role (within SAWEA)	Board Member
Vision for Wind power in South Africa	To position SA as the hub to export our wind energy experience, skills, and manufacturing into Africa.
What makes SAWEA relevant?	SAWEA represents an industry with the potential to make a meaningful contribution to national objectives such as job creation and transformation during the energy transition.
Why would you encourage someone to become a member?	You can be involved in shaping and influencing the direction of the industry, understand different perspectives better, and hopefully grow your own business with better industry insight.
Employment / Company / Designation	Managing Director, Globeleq South Africa Management Services
Years of experience in energy or related sectors	14
Role within the industry	General management of Globeleq’s asset management business that manages 8 renewable IPPS in South Africa. Globeleq is a leading developer, owner and operator of IPP projects solely focused on Africa, that owns, operates and manages 13 power plants in 5 countries with a total installed capacity of 1.4 GW.

Janek Winand

Name	Janek Winand
Role (within SAWEA)	Board Member
Vision for Wind power in South Africa	A growing and stable wind power industry, generating skills and jobs as well as contributing to social, environmental and economic security at a competitive levelized cost of electricity.
What makes SAWEA relevant?	SAWEA is the voice and ambassador of what will be the biggest growing energy industry in South Africa.
Why would you encourage someone to become a member?	The industry has to join forces to be heard and to speak with one voice to make an impact. Do you want to make an impact?
Employment / Company / Designation	Managing Director South Africa, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Pty Ltd
Years of experience in energy or related sectors	13 years
Role within the industry	OEM

Jason van der Poel

Name	Jason van der Poel
Role (within SAWEA)	Board Member
Vision for Wind power in South Africa	A thriving wind industry, with capacity beyond what is currently envisaged in the Integrated Resource Plan, providing energy security, attracting foreign direct investment, providing jobs for South Africans and supporting local manufacturing, small and medium sized enterprises and community needs across the country.
What makes SAWEA relevant?	Despite the COVID-19 pandemic leading to an economic slow-down, we find ourselves once again with an energy deficit. This means load shedding, negatively impacting South African families, businesses and the economy as a whole. SAWEA can play a powerful role in helping to remove blockages to the deployment of wind energy in South Africa and all of the benefits that come with it.
Why would you encourage someone to become a member?	Together, the industry is stronger.
Employment / Company / Designation	Projects partner and Head of Energy Sector at Webber Wentzel, a leading African law firm.
Years of experience in energy or related sectors	12 years in the energy sector, 18 years post qualification experience
Role within the industry	Legal advisor on regulation, project documents and finance documents to project sponsors, lenders and contractors active in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Louise Paulsen

Name	Louise Paulsen
Role (within SAWEA)	Board Member
Vision for Wind power in South Africa	For wind to become the number one renewable energy resource in South Africa.
What makes SAWEA relevant?	SAWEA is an industry thought leader and advocate not only for wind but for all renewables in the just transition.
Why would you encourage someone to become a member?	For members to add their voices and influence the advancement of the industry.
Employment / Company / Designation	MD Vestas South Africa
Years of experience in energy or related sectors	12 years
Role within the industry	World’s largest onshore wind OEM

Robert Skjodt

Name	Robert Skjodt
Role (within SAWEA)	Board Member
Vision for Wind power in South Africa	To create continuous sustainable growth of the industry being a catalyst for a positive and measurable impact in terms of South African goods and services supply, skills development, national policy making and energy mix transformation.
What makes SAWEA relevant?	SAWEA represents wind power supporters, wind turbine owners, industry suppliers and companies in South Africa with an interest in wind energy.
Why would you encourage someone to become a member?	The industry needs to be a strong voice, and it requires engagement and support.
Employment / Company / Designation	CEO BioTherm Energy
Years of experience in energy or related sectors	28 years
Role within the industry	IPP and investor in utility-size wind and solar projects across Africa currently with 400 MW in operation and construction in South Africa and Kenya.

Allan Palmer

Name	Allan Palmer
Role (within SAWEA)	Board Member
Vision for Wind power in South Africa	The speedy and consistent continuation of wind energy procurement (both public and private) and associated advancement of local competences, employment and supply chain.
What makes SAWEA relevant?	It remains the primary point of contact for our industry with government and has several working groups covering a broad range of current industry topics.
Why would you encourage someone to become a member?	Fosters regular and friendly engagement with industry peers helping to form a broader view of the industry.
Employment / Company / Designation	Country Sales Manager, ENERCON
Years of experience in energy or related sectors	10 years
Role within the industry	Managing ENERCONs ongoing market entry and securing orders for wind turbine supply and associated O&M.