Former Department of Energy (DoE) director- general Nelisiwe Magubane has been appointed to the board of directors of Aurecon South Africa.
She has held various influential senior positions in a wide range of organisations in the energy sector, including being appointed the first director- general of the DoE in 2009, when the department was split from the former Department of Minerals and Energy (DME).
Some key achievements during her term of office at the DoE include the development of the Integrated Resource Plan for 2010 and the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.
In 2000, Magubane was appointed chief director for electricity for the DME, where she was instrumental in developing the electricity pricing policy and the electricity supply industry reform strategy.
In 2002, as deputy director-general for electricity and nuclear energy, she established legislation to create the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), which is responsible for the regulation of the petroleum, gas and electricity sectors.
A member of the Engineering Council of South Africa and chairperson of the council’s audit, risk and compliance committee, Magubane has also held nonexecutive directorships with Nersa, Electricity Distribution Industry Holdings and the South African National Energy Research Institute.
“Aurecon is privileged to welcome Neli to the board of directors of Aurecon South Africa. As a professional engineer with over 24 years’ experience in the energy sector, we are confident that she will be a valuable asset to our company,” says Aurecon South Africa MD Albert Geldenhuys.
“I am excited about my new appointment at Aurecon and I look forward to playing a key role in the company’s strategy within the engineering and electricity markets,” Magubane comments.
Geldenhuys notes that energy consumption and conservation are at the forefront of the sustainability challenge, which is a strong focus for many of Aurecon’s clients.
“I am confident that her experience and understanding of the local business environment, especially the energy sector, combined with her knowledge of the sub-Saharan Africa electricity networks, will strongly contribute to our leadership team in the country,” he concludes.