Sulana de Jager, is the plant manager at De Aar Solar Power, having stepped into the renewable energy sector in 2016. She is responsible for executing and managing the plant’s operational plans, as well as plant maintenance, human resource, and HSE.

Her role directly impacts the areas of cost, risk, and performance management of the plant, which is located in the Northern Cape of South Africa.

In conversation with Sulana de Jager

Sulana, you entered the renewable energy sector as a beneficiary of the Globeleq Scholarship Fund (GSF) and are now managing the operations for a utility-scale solar PV plant. Please outline the highlights of your career.

I can summarise the highlights of my career over the last decade into five clear points, starting with being accepted into CPUT to study Mechatronics and then receiving a scholarship fund from Globeleq.

I was very fortunate to have the opportunity, and thereafter to attend the first-ever wind turbine technician training course offered in South Africa.

With this under my belt, I joined the Globeleq operational team, in a permanent capacity at De Aar Solar Power, as a solar technician. This gave me the experience and skillset to expand and take on a managerial position, which led to being promoted to my current role.

What does it mean to you, as a woman, to be working in the renewable energy sector?

For me it is a wonderful achievement – to be able to work in the technical or operational department of the renewable energy sector. I had to overcome many cultural barriers to get here.  But, I can honestly say that this industry has been very welcoming and supportive.

As a woman, who had to battle stigmas, it is extremely heartfelt that the renewable energy sector has been so open and empowering.

Would you encourage other women to enter this sector?

Yes, absolutely.

Renewable energy is like the new age movement but in the energy sector. It is not hindered by historical or bygone discriminations, instead, it is open and welcomes gender and race equality.

As the plant manager at De Aar Solar Power, you live far away from your family, how do you manage this?

I am driven and content with my work.

Our company provides a family environment and the people we work with really care and love one another. Everybody wants the best for each other. The feeling and encouragement that my colleagues give me, helps to fill the void.

The company also ensures that there is always enough work to keep us occupied. So, when I go home, I tend to enjoy the solitude and personal time that I get.

What do you see as the role of an IPP in a rural community?

The first thought that comes to mind is a mini-grid. 

Since rural communities do not have the infrastructure of cables and the villages are some distance apart, the most economic and efficient means to provide electricity to the rural communities, from my perspective, will be to install mini-grid systems.

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Source: Esiafrica