Enel Green Power's Nontokozo Nkosi joins Sawea board
Having joined EGP RSA in 2016 as a commercial officer, Nkosi’s key responsibilities include identifying and originating new business opportunities. This entails scouting, origination, structuring and pricing of long-term PPAs for new renewable capacity around the world with industrial, commercial, and non-traditional off-takers, as well as ensuring year-on-year organic growth for the business. In addition to her current role, she serves as a board member for the EGP South African Project Portfolio.
“I am excited to take up the position of co-opted board member within Sawea,” says Nkosi. “I believe my current position within EGP RSA will allow me to drive the mandate of the association, and I regard it as a privilege to assist Sawea in realising its vision.”
Passionate about the potential of renewable energy in mitigating South Africa’s economic, power, and unemployment challenges, Nkosi notes that the country’s unique abundance of natural energy sources must be harnessed. She acknowledges that while the REIPPP programme was initiated nearly a decade ago, the balanced representation challenges in the industry sectors remain.
Leading the transformational charge
“Being a part of Sawea provides the ideal platform for changemakers to network and collaborate on a shared vision and play an instrumental role in driving and advocating for fair opportunities and the overall growth of the renewable energy sector,” adds Nkosi.
She believes that associations like Sawea and others must become the industry gatekeepers to drive people empowerment and create fair and open opportunities that will reach all South Africans while creating an attractive market for local and international investors.
“I envision a holistic and sustainable transformation in the industry that is inclusive of all South Africans, irrespective of creed, race or gender, particularly female participation and empowerment. Women are game-changers in the renewable energy industry, and female participation should not be by chance but instead by design,” she concludes.