- Four new board members elected at SAWEA 2026 AGM.
- Stephen Koopman appointed chairperson for a two year term.
- 2025 annual report highlights 43 GW wind allocation by 2042 in IRP2025.
The South Africa Wind Energy Association has elected four new board members during its 2026 Annual General Meeting, reinforcing leadership at a time of significant reform in the country’s energy sector.
Caroline Nhlane of Enel Green Power South Africa, Stephen Koopman of ENERTRAG South Africa, Phemelo Mitchell of Pele Green Energy and Stephan van den Berg of Globeleq South Africa have joined the board for a new term.
At the first board meeting following the AGM, Stephen Koopman was appointed chairperson for a two year term. Outgoing chairperson Sunette Smith of Reatile Group will remain on the board as treasurer for the 2026 financial year. Existing board member Kevin Minkoff of EDF Power Solutions South Africa completes the current board structure.
The appointments were confirmed during the association’s AGM held on 26 February 2026, where SAWEA also released its third annual report.
Koopman said he was honoured to assume the leadership role during a pivotal phase for the sector.
“The energy sector is undergoing significant market reform and this is a critical moment for the industry. Over the past decade the wind energy sector has demonstrated its ability to deliver reliable utility scale power, reduce generation costs and contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s decarbonisation goals,” he said.
Looking ahead, Koopman noted that further opportunities lie in expanding grid integration, advancing hybrid renewable energy solutions and strengthening partnerships to support the next phase of sector growth.
Outgoing SAWEA chief executive Niveshen Govender expressed confidence in the new leadership team. Govender is currently serving his notice period until April 2026. The board confirmed that a succession framework is in place to ensure a smooth transition once a new chief executive is appointed.
The association also released its 2025 annual report under the theme From Gridlock to Growth, highlighting a year of strong engagement with government, industry and partners aimed at unlocking the next phase of wind energy development.
Among the report’s key findings is the allocation of 43 GW of wind capacity by 2042 under the IRP2025. This represents an average of about 2.7 GW per year and signals growing market certainty for investors.
The 2025 South African Renewable Energy Grid Survey identified 72 GW of wind and solar PV projects at advanced development stages that could connect to the grid within seven years. This pipeline aligns closely with the IRP2025 target of 71.7 GW of renewable capacity over the next 16 years and indicates that project development is already ahead of schedule. The survey also pointed to accelerated development of battery energy storage projects to support renewable integration.
During 2025 the association also launched three industry reports including its first Market Intelligence Report, a Project Development Guideline and a Gender Diversity Guideline aimed at strengthening industry capability, transparency and inclusivity.
Policy engagement remained a major focus, with SAWEA submitting 15 responses to government departments and regulators on key regulatory and policy developments.
To support knowledge sharing across the sector, the association hosted 30 expert speakers at its standing committee meetings and continued industry capacity building initiatives.
A notable milestone was the approval of the Wind Turbine Operator Skills Programme at NQF Level 3, equivalent to Grade 11. The accredited course provides unemployed youth with pathways into the wind energy sector, including opportunities for candidates without prior technical experience.
SAWEA also continued supporting cohorts participating in the South African Wholesale Electricity Market School in 2025 and 2026 to strengthen industry understanding of the evolving power market.
In a further governance milestone, the association improved its BBBEE rating from Level 4 in 2024 to Level 1 in 2025.
SAWEA has designated 2026 as the Year of Implementation as the sector focuses on translating policy frameworks into infrastructure development and project delivery.
“The strength of SAWEA lies in the collective expertise and commitment of its members. We look forward to working closely with industry leaders, policy makers and communities to accelerate wind energy development and deliver meaningful economic and social benefits for South Africa,” Koopman said.
The association said the coming years will require decisive action to convert policy commitments into operational projects as wind energy continues to play a central role in South Africa’s energy transition.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
