I am an innovative and transformational personality with over five (5) years of experience as a private extension service provider, Career coach/mentor, Business developer, Consultant and Independent Contractor. A creative Director and renewable energy entrepreneur with practical experience in power generation using solar energy technologies, vast knowledge in distributed generation, demand assessment, energy transition, and micro-utility solar hybrid systems design and project development. I have been involved in the designing and implementation of several rooftop & ground mount residential and commercial solar hybrid and back-up projects.

As the Founder and Managing Director of The Frontier Solar Tech Ltd, I am currently driving an initiative tagged SUN2POWER ECONOMY with Rural Plan, Urban Plan and Enterprise Plan. The overall objective of SUN2POWER ECONOMY initiative is to sufficiently electrify revenue generating businesses for socio-economic development.

Prior to her role as the Head of Sterling Bank’s Renewable Energy, Adesola had honed her skills as an astute Financial Analyst and Risk Manager. She pioneered and served as Head, One Education at Sterling Bank with her successes in business development and growth, strategy and execution of targets priming her for her current role.

In her previous role as the head of renewable energy, Adesola championed the development and establishment of the leading Renewable Energy team within the Nigerian Financial Institution in 2017. She has negotiated national and global partnerships in the sector and developed joint product offerings with system integrators, residential and commercial energy efficiency organizations, utility scale operations and Developmental Financial Institutions. In this role, she has participated in several national forums and committees, often providing advisory for policy formulation and execution of several strategic national energy programs. She has led several business development initiatives and financing investments in Energy Efficiency programs.

She received her Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Psychology from the University of Lagos. Adesola is presently the Executive Director of Almahubs Global Ltd.

Christiaan is currently the Director of SC Solar Energy located in South Africa.

Aaron is a passionate renewable expert with over five years in the solar energy industry. He is a

graduate of University of California and Harvard Business School. Mr. Cheng believes in solving Africa's energy access challenge while building the energy system of the future. Backed by Shell, his company welcome partners who are passionate about joining us on this important mission.

Aaron is presently the CEO of PowerGen Renewable Energy.

Marketing professional with over 12 years experience in BOP and Rural off-grid markets development, product and business development management and innovative solutions.

Victor is a motivated and disciplined person with technical competence in Electrical, Electronics & Solar Engineering field. He was the former Group Solar Project Engineer for Davis & Shirtliff. He as also worked for OFGEN where he occupied a position of Project Manager. Mr. Mokoro holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and he is presently the Technical Sales Manager of Distributed Power Africa, Kenya.

George is a regionally successful and experienced business development and technical professional in partnership building and management, product strategy, communication, leadership, project design, implementation, technical training of the renewable energy & water technologies for domestic, industrial and commercial applications.

Mr. Michieka is able to understand company, customer and market expectations, drives and transforms them into outstanding business and projects by utilizing charismatic leadership, superb communication and technical competence. A logical and pragmatic expert in understanding and implementing real and meaningful value creation, strategic planning, team leadership and techno-commercial management with the ability to leverage on East Africa regional experience.

He is presently the Business Development Manager for Sunlite Solar Lighting Ltd.

Gideon Atewologun is the Country Head-Nigeria, Lapomik Energy Limited, African based energy company committed to designing and developing products with focus on renewable energy. At Lapomik, he leads all aspects of Solar PV Business, Production, Strings and Inverters Monitoring for Nigeria. Gidoen has an exuberant passion in learning, adding value and striving for 100% efficiency in every project he implements. He’s a graduate of University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Frank Spencer is a well know Renewable Energy personality in the Southern African Solar PV Space. He currently is the Chief Operations Officer of Mettle Solar (a subsidiary of the CDC), a pan-African Commercial and Industrial Solar PV funding and construction company, where he also heads up the Business Development of the company.

He has a Master’s Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering as well as a Philosophy degree in Sustainable development. He is passionate about addressing the multi-faceted challenges of Climate Change, Rural Electrification and Poverty in Africa. He built his first solar project while still at school, and his first commercial grid-tied solar project in 2002. Since then, he has been active across all aspects of solar projects, from manufacturing, to project EPC, to finance and business development.

He sees himself as an excellent personal communicator, connecting easily with people. In addition he is highly energetic, great at sales, a creative problem-solver and lateral thinker, loyal, with a high level of personal integrity and responsibility, imbued with a good sense of humour. He serves his industry through significant involvement with the solar industry representative body, SAPVIA.

Managerial skills:

- General Management, Definition and Implementation of Strategies.

- International Development with Focus on Africa (30 countries), Intercultural Management

- International and Institutional Cooperation, High-level Diplomatic and Political Relational Network, GtoG and BtoG Negotiations, etc.

Technical Skills:

 - Development of Infrastructure Projects, Business Restructuring.

- Sectors of Expertise: Energy, Infrastructure, Diplomacy, International Organizations, Outsourcing, Banking

Kobina is a highly driven visionary who leads the award-winning company, Translight Solar Limited, headquartered in Accra, Ghana. The company’s core strategy is to apply innovation in finance and technology, to build Africa’s premier virtual energy grid, as a solution to the long-term, chronic problems with energy generation, transmission and distribution in Africa. He is specifically passionate about how solar power can be used as a disruptive technology to stabilize the African grid and rapidly grant energy access to all.

Before starting Translight, Kobina spent over eighteen years designing, implementing and managing huge information technology (IT) networks such as that of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) in the United States of America (USA). His first-rate skills in defining solutions led him to the design and implementation of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) next-generation state-of-the-art network infrastructure for scientific research.

Kobina Eric Nyanteh is the vice president of the Energy Sector of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI). He advocates for policies for promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as making green funds available for migrating households and businesses to clean energy in Africa.

Eng. Mungai Munene is the Lead Delivery Expert and Head of the Project Management Office (PMO) at the President’s Delivery Unit (PDU) in the Executive Office of the President, Nairobi, Kenya.

A Mechanical Engineer and an Oxford University graduate student on Sustainable Urban Development. Eng. Munene, a former Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG), Tony Blair Institute (TBI), and Mckinsey consultant, has over seven (7) years’ experience in delivery of major infrastructure projects both in the Public and Private sector in various African Countries. Currently, he provides senior strategic support to executives at various levels of government.

In addition, Eng. Munene was a former managing partner Capital Operating Partners, an Africa centric, growth fostering management and strategy consulting firm that specializes in Public, Private and Specialized infrastructure clients operating within the African Market.

Registered Professional Engineer with broad understanding and hands on experience on leadership, project management, renewable energy, engineering design, key account management, technical support, sustainable business development, customer service and operations.

A Certified Energy Manager, NEMA Lead expert & T3 Solar PV licensee, with expertise and management competencies gained through work experience in Manufacturing, Oil industry, Renewable Energy and Public Sector. Holds an MSc. in Engineering, Energy Management from University of Nairobi and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Kenya Institute of Management (KIM).

Njogu uses the principles of Design Thinking approach in providing sustainable solutions in Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency and Energy specific Technical Assistance in a variety of projects.

He has over 10 years of electrical engineering experience in the areas of grid-tied, off-grid and hybrids energy generation & distribution from renewable energy sources for powering mini-grids in isolated rural and the urban poor communities aimed at ensuring universal energy access.

He has participated in the research, project management, project development and implementation of various renewable energy projects as a trainer, resource analyzer, conducting technical studies, engineering designs, installation, testing and commissioning of residential, commercial and community projects.

He has an MSc in Engineering and Technology from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Russia. He is a Member of Engineers Board of Kenya, Institution of Engineers of Kenya and the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Kenyan Chapter.

Peter Ojike is the Founder/CEO of Wavetra Energy LTD – a leading renewable energy company with a chain of offline distribution centers and the largest online solar equipment store. Wavetra Energy is a recipient of Nigeria’s most efficient renewable energy company brand award in 2018 by Awesome brands in Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos.

Peter is a graduate of Industrial Physics from Abia State University, Nigeria. He has been honored by the Global Peter Ducker Forum and Peter Drucker Society, Europe in Vienna, Austria, 2016 for his essay contribution on “The Entrepreneurial Society”.

He has a decade experience in renewable energy. Through Wavetra Energy Academy, a subsidiary of Wavetra Energy LTD, Peter has trained over hundred renewable energy consultants and solar installers from across the nation.

He is a member of Council for Renewable Energy, Nigeria. He is happily married and lives in Lagos, Nigeria.

Francis Odim is a renewable energy expert with an extensive experience in Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy projects and a focus on off-grid technologies (SHS, and, mini-grids). He have over Seven (7) years’ experience in the Renewable Energy Industry, and Oil & Gas Industry combined. He has led multidisciplinary teams on renewable energy projects and programs comprising both international and local experts.

He has a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering, from Federal University of Technology Owerri (Nigeria) and he has also worked in African Energy & Consulting, Enschede, Netherlands, ‘Degeconek Nigeria Limited’ located in Ikoyi, Nigeria, Prime Energy Contracting Services Ltd, Victoria Island, Nigeria where he gathered a wide range of experience in the Energy industry.

Engr. Francis has also attended various diplomas and trainings Internationally and Locally in Solar Installations (Rooftop and Ground-mount) and Maintenance, Microgrid & Minigrid Installations, Wind Installation, Strategic Management, Business Development, Sustainable Infrastructure, amongst others.

Applying his educational background and experiences, his role has included supporting and enabling team effort to produce innovative, genuine and sustainable development in various projects in Africa.

His recent projects include participation in the Renewable Energy reform for Nigeria, Sustainable Infrastructure for Africa, Renewable Energy system designs, Coordination of Energy Auditing and Energy Policies in Africa, Forecasts and Strategies for environmental protection and different technologies (cogeneration, renewable energy sources, and impact of emission), Construction of a 30kw solar Minigrid system in Niger Republic, amongst others.

Amwoka is currently the Quality Control and Special Projects Manager at Sunami Solar, Kenya. Amwoka owns a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Technical University of Mombasa. He has a deep understanding and experience in solar energy sector for more than 5 years. He has worked before as a special projects engineer delivering on solar projects, having installed more than 500 solar modules and maintained them effectively. He has also worked on solar projects in Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Zambia.

Mr. Edwin is also skilled in electronics design and manufacturing, having completed more than 500 complementary devices for PAYGO solar PV systems. He is a member of the Engineers Board of Kenya and a licensed solar technician by Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority. He attended his PV grid tied systems training from Strathmore University in the year 2020. He also has experience in solar water pumping, solar egg incubation, solar refrigeration, and solar water pumping systems. He is currently keen on innovating around sustainable energy and ensuring quality of solar products.

A result oriented, climate finance and business development professional with a solid track record of programme development and implementation. Strong experience in climate fiancé resource mobilisation and project design with evidence in the GCF, GEF, AF and other funders for Kenya, Mali, Togo, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, among other African countries. Successful implementation of EU-ACP funded mini-grids project in Tanzania and other renewable energy interventions. Co-founder of renewable energy organisations focused on productive use of energy in rural areas.
 

Specialties:
• Climate finance project development
• Community Based Adaptation (CBA) project design
• Mitigation project design particularly for energy (and energy efficiency)
• Training and Capacity Building

Adetola is a highly accomplished, results-driven chief financial officer with direct experience in corporate strategy, financial management, and operations within for-profit non-profit organizations. His capabilities include streamlining business operations that drive growth, increase efficiency and sustainability.

He has significant experience working in affordable housing and community development where he supported CEOs of community development organizations to provide housing assistance to residents. Tola also supported workforce development programs and was instrumental in preparing disadvantaged and low-income citizens for sustainable careers in the workforce. 

He is currently working as the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Emerald Cities Collaborative, a national nonprofit network of organizations working together to advance a high-road sustainable environment creating just and inclusive economies with opportunities for all. In his role, he supports the CEO on strategic decision making while working with program directors across the United States to ensure effective and efficient programs. 

Tola understands the importance of capacity building to bring about just and sustainable development. He leads the organization’s effort in DC to perform landscape analysis and develop recommendations that will enhance economic inclusion in the DC market as it relates to Energy Efficiency investments and development. 

Marianne Walpert has been working in the solar electric industry since 1985 and has been working in Tanzania since 2007 when she founded the nonprofit organization, TanzSolar Ltd. TanzSolar has provided thousands of rural Tanzanians with solar lighting. In 2014 Marianne saw an opportunity to extend the value of financed solar systems to productive uses, and started Simusolar. Since then, over 20,000 people have benefited from increased incomes, greater productivity, and a higher quality of life.

Before starting her work in Africa, Walpert founded and managed Pacific Solar Company, one of the first photovoltaic design and installation businesses in the US, in 1991. Ms. Walpert has a Masters Degree in Physics from Northeastern University and a Bachelors Degree in Math and Physics from the University of California. She is currently the CEO of Simusolar Inc.

Troy Barrie is the CTO of Ariya Finergy, a Nairobi based Financing and Engineering firm that develops and builds renewable energy and power stabilisation projects. Ariya Finergy has developed and installed 22 solar PV projects in Kenya totaling 3.1MWp and generating over 4GWhr. This list includes unique power stabilisation projects that solve grid stability problems for entire industrial facilities.

Troy is an energy storage and renewable energy integration specialist; providing solutions to industries and utilities by integrating reliable technology solutions. He has global experience in manufacturing, commercial product deployment and customer relations. Interests are energy storage, smart controllers and distributed generation as a means of ensuring utility power quality.

Mr. Anderson is an economist and Certified European Financial Analyst with 15 years of experience working within power and renewables, primarily in Africa. Mr. Anderson is currently the Head of Solar, Smart Grid and Storage at Multiconsult. He has worked extensively with aspects related to transactions and investment in renewables, as well as sector policy, regulatory and technical aspects. Mr. Anderson has advised developers, corporations, lenders and authorities regarding investment in renewables in Africa. Among notable assignments, Mr. Anderson was Team Leader on the GET FiT solar PV IPP tender in Zambia, which resulted in a price record for Sub-saharan Africa.

I am a distribution utility subject-matter-expert with both utility operational experience and utility infrastructure development from rural electrification to urban network developments. 12 years’ experience within the electricity and utility sector across Africa and 25 years of utility experience in roles from managing large complex electricity infrastructure projects to utility turn around utility management contracts.

I am currently seconded to work in ESB Networks the electricity distribution asset owner in Ireland as a project manager to support the delivery of the LV Network Readiness Project, a project preparing the networks in Ireland for distributed renewable energy, electric cars, and eheating heating.

My experience ranges from being the Project director in Tanzania for the MCA-T funded electricity infrastructure buildout project ($207M MCA-T energy projects) to Executive Director of Supply in KEK the electricity utility in Kosovo. I have a thorough understanding of African utilities and have exposed to most operational functions in distribution utilities from outage management to disconnections to mobile money solutions, skills, and knowledge equally applicable to the off-grid energy access space.

My most notable achievements were

During the ESBI KEK turnaround utility management contract, under my management, the Supply Division Increased annual cash collections from €74M in 2004 to €97M (+32%) in 2006 and reduced total losses from 59% to 48% an 18.6% improvement in 2 years

Rural electrification project manager (2008 to 2014) responsible for the electrification of 201 villages and connecting 92.000 households in 7 regions in Tanzania as part of the MCA-T energy projects

Ahmed Badr is the Acting Director of the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) Project Facilitation and Support division (PFS), a new division that offers member countries dedicated project implementation support. Mr. Badr took up the position in April 2020 and brings more than 30 years of international experience in the field of banking and finance.

In his role, Mr. Badr is tasked with leading the development of the division, while spearheading the Agency’s implementation of the Climate Investment Platform, a multi-stakeholder platform in established in partnership with SE4All, the UNDP and in coordination with Green Climate Fund to streamline access to climate funding for developing countries and advance renewables deployment.

Prior to joining IRENA, Mr. Badr held several senior operational positions in the field of climate change, renewable energy, energy efficiency, water and infrastructure projects in a number of multinational financial institutions, including the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Commission (EuropeAid), and Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

Mr. Badr is certified a project infrastructure project manager, with a B.Sc in Civil Engineering and Master’s Degree in Infrastructure Economics from the Universite de Nates, France.

Jason leads the Solarcentury Africa team.  He has over 30 years of African experience. Prior to joining Solarcentury Africa, Jason worked for a leading emergency power provider for five years on major projects in EMEA.  Recognising the growing importance of renewables to the sector, in 2018 he joined Solarcentury Africa, a technology agnostic company that has been delivering multiple PV and Storage projects in challenging regions such as DRC, Eritrea and Nigeria to name a few. Jason brings a strong understanding of both thermal and renewable technologies together with a deep knowledge of the mining industry. His insight and strategic viewpoint is invaluable in helping deliver innovative technical designs that bring significant advancements in reliability and cost savings to the end clients.

Maximilian Jarrett has over 30 years of professional experience in the fields of international economic affairs, media production and strategic communications. In his current role, he helps expand the International Energy Agency’s reach and coordinate its work as it deepens its engagement across the African continent. He most recently served as the final Director-in-Charge of the Geneva-based Africa Progress Panel, which was chaired by the late Kofi Annan, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former UN Secretary General. Prior to that he worked for over a decade with the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa coordinating programmes and initiatives with African states, as well as the African Union and African Development Bank. He is an Honorary Fellow of Murdoch University in Western Australia and also an Honorary Fellow at the Research Centre for Governance, Leadership and Global Responsibility at the Leeds Business School in the United Kingdom.

Marcus Williams is Sector Manager for Energy and Extractive Industries at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the political risk insurance and credit enhancement arm of the World Bank Group. He has been in this role since November 2017 prior to which he was Acting Global Head since September 2015, and previously Lead Operations Officer.

From 2004-2014, Marcus was Adviser to MIGA’s Executive Vice President with responsibilities that included overseeing corporate strategy and Board relations, and managing the corporate communications team. From 2004 to 2006 he was Chief of Staff.

Before this, Williams held several positions in the World Bank and in MIGA including: Officer in the World Bank’s Corporate Strategy Group, working with the World Bank Group’s President and Senior Management on the Group's long-term strategy and business agenda; Senior Business Development Officer heading the Business Development team at the World Bank’s Global Development Learning Network; Officer in MIGA’s Guarantee Department.

Before joining the World Bank Group, Williams spent two years with Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates covering the international energy markets.

A UK national, Williams holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BA from Swarthmore College.

Kerry, a visionary leader, serves as SkyPower’s Global President and Chief Executive Officer. He has architected and helped to propel SkyPower since its founding in 2003 into one of the largest and most innovative renewable companies. Focused solely on the development of large-scale solar energy generation projects, SkyPower has a presence in over 35 countries and four continents around the world. Kerry’s instincts also foresaw the outsourcing revolution to developing countries and founded WebHelp Worldwide in 1999, which today employs over 60,000 employees in 49 countries globally, with revenues exceeding $1.3B EU.

As an accomplished global entrepreneur with innovative and unique operational approaches, Kerry leads with an enviable track record of flawless execution. His experience stems from over 35 years of expertise that spans many industries and sectors from Renewable Energy, artificial intelligence, advanced logistics, software design, BPO-CRM, as well as design of advanced systems and processes. Kerry is also a world-renowned speaker and advocate for Climate Change and Climate Action. He is a trusted advisor to numerous Heads of State and other sustainable leaders on renewable energy through Public Private Partnerships, delivering energy security through critical Foreign Direct Investments that helps to stimulate economies and is a catalyst for job creation.

Kerry’s focus on Global Climate Action, and his pioneering approach of leading others towards plausible climate risk mitigation strategies has earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, and the many thousands that attend his riveting keynotes speeches and addresses around the world each year. Audiences globally are deeply inspired by Kerry’s passion, extensive knowledge, and track record, coupled with his candor, honesty, and transparency as he provides clear and concise insight into the true state of our planet and the forthcoming impacts of climate action, which serves as an inspiration for so many to do more.

Kerry, over the past decade has taken a very active role in advancing the climate change agenda and has won numerous awards including the United Nations Global Entrepreneur of The Year, UN Global Compact Inaugural Pioneer For Climate Action, UN SDG Champion (SkyPower Global), 2019 CEO of The Year, Who Believes in The Spirit of Giving, and the Global Family Office Most Sustainable CEO of 2019 under the patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco. Kerry also serves as a Board Member or strategic advisor to numerous organizations including, UAE Business Council, Canada GCC Advisory Council, Canada Africa Business Council, Canada Arab Business Council, World Economic Forum, International Economic Forum of The Americas, founding member of United Nations CFO Taskforce, ConvrtX, Can Water, WiConnect and Eccopia.

Current country Director Kenya of Engie Energy Access, an entrepreneur and executive with more than 17 years of experience in corporate finance and strategy , he has experience across diverse corporate environments and industries from financial services, agribusiness, manufacturing and consultancy.

Dr. Svet Bajlekov is the CEO and co-founder of AMMP Technologies. At AMMP, he leads a team dedicated to simplifying the management of portfolios of commercial solar assets – by unifying and automating the way energy data is used by owners and operators. Svet was previously CTO at E.ON Off Grid Solutions, where he worked on PV mini-grid deployments and operations across Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as on the development of innovative software solutions for the sector. Svet holds a PhD in Atomic & Laser Physics from Oxford University and M.Sci. in Theoretical Physics from University of Durham

Mrs. Silvia Piana has a Degree in International Law, followed by postgraduate courses in Law and Business Development.

She spent the last 20 years in various companies of the Enel Group, including the Power and Emissions Trading startup and the Carbon Strategy Unit, mainly dealing with regulatory aspects of the emerging Emissions Trading Schemes around the world, including the voluntary abatements of emissions.

In 2014 she joined Enel Green Power, where she is now Head of Regulatory Affairs for the Africa, Asia and Oceania Area. Advocating for a de-risked environment for investments in renewable energy is a core part of her job. She also works in the Market Analysis global function, supporting her company in its sustainable energy transition process through greater electrification, innovation, digitalization and flexibility.

She lives in Rome, she’s married and has two children.

Thembani Jeffrey Marhanele is a SAIPPA (South African Independent Power Producers Association) management committee member and a successful business entrepreneur with a vision of creating sustainable developments and business enterprises that are able to create sustainable employment. He is the founder of Jeka Resources (Pty) Ltd and the CEO Jeka Energy (a subsidiary of Jeka Resources) since 2013. Under his leadership, Jeka Energy currently boasts a portfolio of more than 350MW in fully developed sites for Utility scale projects in South Africa and assisted more than 15 Municipalities with their Energy Demand Side Management strategies. His wealth of experience in the energy sector also includes developing and commissioning Utility scale, Commercial & Industrial and even household Solar PV installations.

Magdalena Kouneva, REEEP Director General

Magdalena specialises in development finance and possesses a strong familiarity with the international architecture for sustainable development. She has significant experience designing and implementing a wide range of financing products and innovative financial instruments.

Since 2020 Magdalena has been heading the International Secretariat of REEEP, an international multi-stakeholder partnership, founded at the 2002 Johannesburg Sustainability Summit with the mission to advance market readiness for clean energy and energy access in developing and emerging markets. REEEP is accelerating and shifting public and private capital to sustainable finance, building impactful partnerships and alliances.

Between 2009-2018 Magdalena was the UNDP’s advisor for development finance in the finance and planning ministries in Rwanda, Malawi and Papua New Guinea. In this position, she designed and managed UNDP’s support and strengthened capacities and systems for financing the SDGs. In 2019-2020 Magdalena supported the European Commission in introducing a new generation of EU guarantees for private sector operations in Africa and EU-neighbouring countries under the European Fund for Sustainable Development, implemented in partnership with European and international multilateral banks and development finance institutions.

Terje Osmundsen is the founder and CEO of Empower New Energy. During his eight years as Head of Business Development in Scatec Solar, Terje developed a distinctive track-record from pioneering and scaling solar energy in emerging markets. His leadership experience include large international groups like Kvaerner, Telenor, Saga Petroleum and Alcatel, as well as publishing and think-tanks. He is a seasoned non-executive board member and currently serves as Chairman of the Board in Caritas, Norway.

Terje also has a background from politics and government, including working as a Political Adviser to the Prime Minister. He has a post-graduate (Cand.polit) degree from the University of Oslo in Political Science, Economics and Law. Terje is also an acknowledged thought leader and public speaker in his field.

Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Solareff (Pty) Ltd since 2010, and Director of GridCars (Pty) Ltd. Recently elected to the Management Committee of SAPVIA. DeVilliers has been involved with SAPVIA as member since 2013 and has served on the following committees / Work Groups on behalf of, or in the interest of SAPVIA:

• Embedded Generation Subcommittee (Vice-Chair) 2014/2015,

• SANS 10142 Work Group 2015 - 2017

• PV GreenCard Steering Committee (Chair) 2016/2017;

• Grid Access Subcommittee (Chair) 2016/2017;

• SSEG Work Group Chairperson (2020/2021).

Gaurav Metkar is a Lead Analyst at Rystad Energy with over 14 years of experience in the research field. His areas of experience include energy research spanning oil & gas and more recently in to renewable with a particular focus on Middle Eastern and African regions.

Gaurav is part of the core team managing the development of RenewableCube, a bottom-up database of global renewable projects.

Hadyr KOUMAKPAI, over 10 Years, has been promoting renewable energy, mainly solar technology in Africa. 
Holder of 2 Master degree, he embraces also an MBA in Energy and Sustainability at UK university of Cumbria. He is acting now as the General Manager Africa for JA Solar and Prior to that he served as Business Developer manager, Senior project Manager and Africa project director in different and well known world rank companies in the Solar, Energy and Mining Industry.

Dr Kittessa is a Physicist with over 15 years of experience in Renewable Energy Research, Development and Innovation. Kittessa received his PhD (2009) from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and subsequently spent several years working as a post-doctoral researcher first for the University of Pretoria and then later in the CSIR National Laser Centre.

He is presently Principal Researcher & Research Group Leader for Energy Supply & Demand (ESD) Research Group (RG) within the Energy Centre at the Smart Places Cluster of the CSIR. The ESD RG underpins the Energy Centre work in solar, wind, renewable energy production/supply forecasting, energy efficiency / demand response, and thermal energy optimisation inclusive of thermal energy efficiency, recovery and storage. The techno-economic viability of emerging and existing approaches to energy supply and end-use efficiency are independently assessed to provide impartial advocacy to industry and consumers.

He is involved in a number of initiatives of the Energy Centre, including the establishment of an Outdoor PV testing facility, defining the research agenda of the solar research, support to the South African government on solar energy research, development and innovation roadmap development as well as supporting the growing PV industry in South Africa. He has authored about 30 research papers, delivered presentations in various local and international conferences, runs several international collaborations, and is presently supervisor of 5 post graduate students.