Cultivating diverse and empowered leadership to power SA’s energy revolution

SOUTH Africa's renewable energy sector is scaling rapidly. From wheeled solar capacity serving Amazon and Tronox Mineral Sands to battery-packed IPP projects delivering reliable power at peak demand, this transformation is both technical and structural. However, alongside the deployment of solar PV and battery systems, a more deliberate transformation is underway: the advancement of female leaders across the energy value chain.

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In both public and private companies operating in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) spaces, leadership remains predominantly male with some progress in middle management. There are very few women in senior and executive positions in South Africa. Additionally, while the employment rate for women with tertiary qualifications in STEM fields has increased from 22.2% in 2014, it has only increased by a paltry 7% to 29.6% in 2024. National representation is uneven and unequal.

As South Africa's energy system continues to decentralise and change, and as new PPA structures and regulatory shifts change how the sector operates, there’s a growing need for collaborative, multi-stakeholder leadership. Having technical knowledge isn't enough. The energy ecosystem demands leadership that can adapt, connect and collaborate - qualities that are often forged in environments that welcome diverse perspectives. Research consistently shows that companies with higher gender and ethnic diversity outperform those without - McKinsey found that these companies are 39% more likely to financially outperform those in the bottom quartile for gender and ethnic diversity. Diverse teams are also more adaptable, more likely to have better problem-solving approaches, and have a wider range of unique skill sets and knowledge.