Page 21 - Energize February 2022

NEWS

NEW CEO FOR SA’S WIND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

he South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) has
announced the appointment of Niveshen Govender as
TCEO, who undertakes a leading role in driving the country’s
transition to a greener economy, as South Africa accelerates its
efforts to decarbonise its power sector and increase its energy
availability. He brings along a vision founded on predictable and
continued procurement with a focus on industrialisation policy and
incentives to build more and better local capabilities, in order for
the wind industry to compete with international markets whilst
supporting local manufacturers to become competitive for export
markets.
With twelve years in the Green Economy environment,
Govender certainly has ample experience to tackle this ambitious
undertaking. SAWEA believes that in this new role, he will be able
to capitalise on his diverse knowledge and depth of experience,
which ranges from carbon management and climate change to
flagship energy project implementation as well as formulating and
applying energy policy. Furthermore, his most recent position as
chief operating officer (COO) at the South African Solar Photovoltaic
Association (SAPVIA), represents his passion for renewable energy
and showcases his tireless dedication to advocating on behalf of
members through engagement with government on various levels.
“Some of my immediate efforts will be afforded to maintaining
key stakeholder relationships, advocating for an enabling policy
and regulatory regime, encouraging the transformation and
localisation agenda to contribute to the energy transition, 2021, leading the association with her vision to see wind power
building research and information sharing capabilities, promoting continuing to be a positive driver of transformation and growth in
representation by managing the membership and enhancing the South Africa.
organisation’s operations,” explains Govender, who has an extensive
understanding of policy directives as well as industry capability. The SAWEA board comprises: Mercia Grimbeek (Head of Project
Govender takes the lead at a pivotal time in the country’s Development: ENERTRAG); Mamoso May (General Manager – Dorper
energy transition, with the sector having created a lasting impact Wind Farm); Mark Tanton (CEO – Red Cap Energy); Dhesen Moodley
with more than 3,4 GW of installed capacity, R80,5 billion in inward (Managing Director - Globeleq South Africa Management Services);
investment and 30 000 jobs realised. Janek Winand (Managing Director South Africa - Siemens Gamesa
“The wind energy sector can do even more. Building on the Renewable Energy Pty Ltd); Jason van der Poel (Projects partner
learnings, it is time to map out and analyse the local manufacturing and Head of Energy Sector - Webber Wentzel, a leading African law
landscape, looking at the local strengths and capabilities and firm); Louise Paulsen (MD - Vestas South Africa); Robert Skjodt (CEO
capitalise on them to reap potential benefits and forge a new – Biotherm Energy); Peter Carl Venn (Managing Director - Windlab);
era that will witness the industry playing its part in the country’s Davide Pasi (Head of Development - Red Rocket South Africa);
economic recovery,” added Govender. Titania Stefanus-Zincke (General Manager - Mainstream Asset
SAWEA operates as a common law, voluntary, not-for-profit Management South Africa); Nontokozo Nkosi (Head of Commercial
association that represents the South African wind industry, led by Office - Enel Green Power South Africa)
a Board that is primarily concerned with issues of governance and
strategy. Contact SAWEA, Phone 010 007-5655, admin@sawea.co.za
Mercia Grimbeek, was re-elected as the Chair of SAWEA in https://sawea.org.za

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