Although progress has been made over the past decade in increasing workforce diversity, women remain underrepresented in South Africa’s renewable energy sector, particularly in technical and executive roles. Anecdotal evidence may suggest that the picture is slowly improving, yet deep structural challenges remain. According to a 2020 study by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), these challenges often fall into three categories: barriers to entry, barriers to retention, and barriers to progress.
Women at Mulilo, leading the change in SA’s energy sector, from left: Irma Pienaar, Avra Moodley, Seithati Bolipombo.
In South Africa, women are steadily rewriting this narrative. At Mulilo, a leading South African independent power producer, three of the company’s seven C-suite executives are women and it is driving change in gender representation in this traditionally male-dominated sector.
Irma Pienaar: from quantity surveying to energy leadership
“I was contacted by a recruiter just as a major capital expansion project in the Cape Town harbour was coming to an end,” recalls Irma Pienaar, now Chief Operating Officer at Mulilo. “Even in the early days, the industry recognised the value of quantity surveying as a skills set.”
Starting her career in supply chain, Pienaar has since worked across quality, project management, and organisational roles within the energy space. However, her path has not been without challenges.
“There are many barriers for women generally, but specific to our sector, it is the shortage of women within STEM-qualifications. We need more targeted initiatives to promote these fields for women. I also believe that senior women leaders must take a more active role in sponsoring and mentoring other women entering the sector.” She says, “There is still a pay gap in many organisations in the energy sector, and there’s no requirement to report transparently on it.”
Her advice to aspiring female professionals: “Don’t feel that you need to change yourself to advance in the industry, to become more like your male counterparts. You bring tremendous value with your different perspectives and insights. Don’t trade that for anything.”
Avra Moodley: a legal mind turned energy advocate
With more than two decades of experience in law, Moodley, General Counsel at Mulilo, didn’t plan to enter the renewable energy sector. “I did not start my career thinking, ‘I'm going to be a renewable energy lawyer.’ The sector was barely in existence at the time. My journey was more organic.”
After years in legal advisory and in-house roles, Moodley became increasingly drawn to systemic national challenges. “As I furthered my studies, I became more aware of South Africa's energy crisis and the budding public procurement programme for renewable energy projects,” she recalls. “As a lawyer, I have always been drawn to complex, systemic problems, and I saw that our energy sector was at the heart of so many issues, including economic instability, access to energy, and the development of national infrastructure.”
While the sector has matured, she says gender hurdles persist. “The energy industry can be very demanding, with long hours and travel to remote sites. This can be particularly challenging for women who are often expected to bear the primary responsibility for caregiving at home.”
Moodley offers this advice: “As a woman, you bring a different perspective to the table. Your emotional intelligence, collaborative spirit, kindness, and attention to detail are assets.”
Seithati Bolipombo: championing commercial solutions with social impact
For Seithati Bolipombo, Chief Commercial Officer at Mulilo, the path to renewables was inspired by purpose. “I had an epiphany on my way back from one of my unsuccessful Africa transactions. I had this moment where I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be an ‘architect of Africa’s development’ by leveraging my skills in finance.”
She was soon headhunted into Scatec’s Sub-Saharan Africa team and subsequently moved to Mulilo, where she now leads capital raising, commercial strategy, and social impact. She has a clear view of the sector’s gender dynamics. “There’s pressure to ‘fit the mould’ – be an engineer, wear chinos, or adopt a persona that doesn’t really reflect who you are,”. She also shares Avra’s views on long hours and the demands on time. She further shares that, “Even when women are involved, being recognised as a voice in the room or having a seat at the table without being boxed in because you’re female remains a challenge.”
Nonetheless, Bolipombo remains optimistic about the future. “You don’t need to be an engineer to contribute meaningfully. You can be in banking, insurance, or legal advisory services – many disciplines have a role in the renewable energy sector.”
Her advice is resolute. “Believe in yourself. Once you’re in, the best way to learn is through building relationships. So, be curious about people, the industry, forge connections and learn the language of the sector.”
A just and inclusive energy transition
Mulilo is walking the talk. Alongside strong female representation at leadership level, the company’s graduate programme has a 45% female representation, and its Employment Equity & Skills Development Committee supports career progress for women.
However, beyond policy, lasting transformation requires visibility, accountability, and a deliberate shift in organisational culture. As Mulilo demonstrates, the energy sector does not need women to conform to outdated norms. It needs them to lead the charge into a more inclusive, equitable future.
For more information visit: https://www.mulilo.com/