THE South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) has appointed Ntombifuthi Ntuli as CEO to help steer the R200bn wind industry as a positive driver of transformation and growth in South Africa.
Ntuli has 14 years of experience in the energy and related sectors and actively participates in policy and research environments to promote the development of the local renewable energy industry.
This, together with her understanding of the local manufacturing, development and the broad economic impact of the renewable energy industry, gives her the edge to drive a vision for the local wind industry to play a significant role in the country’s future energy system, says SAWEA chair Mercia Grimbeek.
South Africa is currently heavily reliant on fossil fuels for its electricity generation and hopes to reduce it from 90% to 46% by 2030.
In addition to the 46% coal, the government’s draft Integrated Resource Plan sees the country’s electricity mix by 2030 as 25% renewables, with wind making up 15% and solar PV 10%; 16% gas, 6% hydro, 4% pumped storage and the 2.5% nuclear power from Koeberg.
Ntuli most recently worked for the CSIR as a Research Group Leader: Energy Industry, where she focused on assessing the economic impacts of the energy sector transition, including jobs, SMME development, industrialisation and socio-economic development.
She holds an MPhil degree in energy studies (University of Johannesburg) and a certificate in economic and development policy (University of Witwatersrand). She also did the United States International Visitor Leadership Programme and the African Programme on Rethinking Development Economics.
Ntuli previously worked for the Department of Trade and Industry as a director: Green Industries, where she was responsible for facilitating the development of the local renewable energy manufacturing industry.
Serving on the SAWEA Board are Grimbeek, compliance manager: Mainstream Renewable Power; Boitumelo Kiepile, head of regulatory affairs: Enel Green Power; Katherine Persson, general manager: Africa for Windlab; Rafiq Ebrahiem, finance director: Globeleq South Africa Management Services; and Dr Tobias Bischof-Niemz, director: ENERTRAG SA.
