The Nordex Group has announced the appointment of Robert Timmers as the new Managing Director for Nordex Energy South Africa (NESA). With over a decade of experience in the wind energy sector, Timmers returns to South Africa after successfully leading Nordex Australia as Managing Director, where he oversaw the supply and commissioning of a landmark 1 GW wind farm project – the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere.
Robert Timmers, Managing Director, Nordex Energy South Africa.
He returns at a time when NESA is managing construction of projects set to deliver 631 MW in the Eastern and Northern Cape, as well as its already operational plants which have combined capacity of 1.1 GW.
Although the local market faces recognised challenges, such as limited resources to support the growing pipeline of wind energy projects, including shortages of police escorts, crane and transport equipment, and a small pool of experienced installation contractors, Timmers sees these complexities as opportunities for strategic optimisation. Innovations like site-specific tower designs and concrete hybrid technologies can reduce travel distances and enhance project economics, and advances such as self-hoisting crane technology address crane shortages.
He notes too, that Nordex’s robust local training initiatives are key to developing and strengthening South Africa’s talent pool, ensuring a sustainable future for the wind energy industry.
“Returning home to South Africa is a professional and a personal milestone for me,” said Timmers. “I am excited to contribute to the country’s growing economy as it transitions to a clean energy future. South Africa is at a pivotal moment in its renewable energy journey, and I look forward to leveraging Nordex's global expertise to unlock new opportunities for sustainable energy growth.”
Timmers’s tenure in Australia, over eight years, confirmed his reputation as a leader in managing large-scale renewable energy projects. Under his guidance, Nordex's Australian operations delivered strategic innovations and optimisations, positioning the company as a key player in one of the world's most dynamic renewable energy markets.
Reflecting on global trends in wind energy, he outlined his vision for South Africa’s renewable energy sector, saying, “With wind projects globally increasing in size and complexity, I see an opportunity to leverage the experience gained in our Australian projects, where project-specific optimisations dramatically increased value for customers. Our expertise in supporting Balance of Plant (BOP) optimisation, site-specific tower designs, and collaborative electrical and layout optimisations will stand us in good stead for tackling the new wave of larger, more complex projects in South Africa.”
Javier Ojanguren, Nordex Energy Vice President - Spain, APAC & Africa, said: “As South Africa accelerates its clean energy ambitions, Robert’s leadership will consolidate Nordex Energy South Africa’s role as a trusted renewable energy partner, delivering value-driven solutions and driving innovation to meet the country’s growing energy demands.”
Timmers, who previously contributed to the successful construction of one of South Africa's largest wind farms in Gouda, Western Cape, brings extensive expertise in financial management, operations, and strategic planning. Combined with his Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Bachelor of Business Science in Accounting and Finance from the University of Cape Town, his proven leadership capabilities equip him to drive Nordex South Africa’s growth in a rapidly evolving energy market, fostering innovation and developing local talent at the same time.
For more information visit: https://www.nordex-online.com/en/south-africa/
