Page 14 - EngineerIT August-September 2025

ENERGY

While the challenges confronting South Africa He was also a former Senior Executive at City Power Johannesburg and
are significant, the potential for transformation a former Executive Manager at Eskom. Prof Padayachee is recognised as
lies within the collective will of its people. By a consummate professional and a power and energy expert. His profile
investing in one another’s success, we pave reflects an illustrious career spanning over 40 years in many companies,
the way for an inclusive future. institutions or entities considered “blue chip”, in academia and in
professional and learned bodies like ECSA.
Let us harness the potential of the electricity
sector and the spirit of collaboration to ensure Prof Padayachee has “hands-on coal face” experience across all levels
that every citizen has the opportunity to from operational, technical, engineering, management, executive, CEO
dream, thrive and contribute meaningfully up to and including board levels mainly in the power and energy sectors.
to the collective success of our great nation. He has worked in academia, manufacturing, petrochemical, consulting
Together, we can build a future where every engineering and the power and energy sectors locally and internationally.
South African aspires to a life of dignity,
opportunity and hope — a future that honours His expertise and insights have been instrumental in advising high
the resilience and spirit of all its people. impact organisations and bodies and contributing to the discourse on
power and energy matters. Prof Padayachee also regularly writes articles,
About the author: opinion pieces and blogs and is often invited to talk on power and energy
Professor Vally Padayachee, CEng; CD(SA); matters on national and international TV and radio media channels as
MBA; MSc (Eng); Pr CPM; Pr Cert Eng; EDP an independent power and energy expert. He is currently assisting the
(Wits), is currently an AMEU Strategic Adviser, National Electricity Crisis Committee (NECOM) established by the State
Executive Officer of PIESA, Member of the President in 2022 to address the electricity crisis challenges.
NRS Association Management Committee,
a Professor of Practice in the Department of This article is written in Prof Padayachee’s personal capacity. The
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science views expressed may not represent the views of all the members of
and an Industrial Advisory Board Member of the respective organisations he represents given the diversity of their
the University of Johannesburg (UJ). memberships.
SUMMIT
Zambia
Zambia

SUMMIT

Take control of your business Advancing sustainability, resilience Connect with South Africa’s
continuity through power security and stewardship in the water sector energy-intensive industries

One platform, every solution. Africa’s energy & water leaders in one place
– turning challenges into business opportunities

4 - 5 November 2025
Register today www.energy-storagesummit.com The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg