The untapped power of women in energy leadership

In leadership, South African women are known for their strength, resilience, and perseverance, which shines through as they guide teams and projects across the energy sector

The South African Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Strategy for the Energy Sector states that the lack of women in top roles in the energy sector sees leading firms miss out on profits.

It warns that companies that have executive committees with female membership of more than 33% had a net profit margin over 10 times greater than those companies with no women at this level. 

“Clearly inclusion of women in business is no longer a luxury but an economic imperative. A McKinsey Global Institute study found that advancing women’s equality could add $12 trillion to the global economy by 2025. In a best-case scenario, that number could jump to $28 trillion,” stated Gwede Mantashe, Minister Of Mineral Resources and Energy.

Last month, the South African Independent Power Producer Association (SAIPPA) announced the appointment of new leadership, marking a significant step in the organisation’s continued commitment to advancing private sector participation in South Africa’s evolving power sector.

Amongst the new appointees was Leoné Human, who has been appointed as Chairman of SAIPPA. 

Human is a professional engineering technologist with extensive experience in grid planning and project management, bringing deep industry insight and a strong technical foundation to the role.

“This expanded team strengthens SAIPPA’s ability to represent and support independent power producers in overcoming structural and regulatory barriers, while promoting a more inclusive and efficient energy landscape.”

ESI Africa spoke to Leoné Human about what it means to be a woman working in this industry.

You’ve carved a path in engineering and energy, a field where women are still under-represented. What inspired you to pursue this journey?

I see myself first and foremost as a problem solver, which is at the core of what it means to be an engineer. Being a woman in the engineering field allows me to bring fresh perspectives and a different way of thinking to how things have traditionally been done.

Beyond the technical processes and designs, I believe women often place equal value on the human impact of engineering—recognising the real change our projects bring to the lives of the communities we serve.

As the Chairperson of SAIPPA, what is the vision you want to champion for independent power producers in South Africa?

I want SAIPPA to be the platform where private sector players in South Africa’s power sector can participate fully and effectively. It should be the place where our members feel empowered to voice their challenges and concerns, knowing that SAIPPA will take those forward by engaging national stakeholders and lobbying on their behalf.

As a woman leading in a traditionally male-dominated field, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field is leading men who are older and have more years of experience. I’ve found the best way to navigate this is to treat everyone as a person first and only then as an employee. By showing respect for their knowledge and viewing their experience as a valuable asset, I was able to turn potential obstacles into a win-win situation for both the team and myself.

Representation matters. What more can industry bodies and companies do to create opportunities for women in leadership and technical roles?

Training and education are essential, but industry bodies and companies can do more by establishing structured mentorship and sponsorship programmes to support women’s career growth. It’s important to allow women to flourish where they are, encouraging creativity and providing the tools and resources needed to succeed in leadership roles. By fostering workplace cultures where women feel empowered to voice ideas, take risks and lead, organisations can nurture and promote high-potential female talent.

 What unique strengths do you believe women bring to leadership in the energy sector? 

Women bring unique strengths to leadership in the energy sector, including a strong attention to detail—which is critical in engineering, where the devil is often in the details. Beyond technical precision, women often approach leadership with a refined perspective, balancing the management of large-scale project documentation with the interpersonal dynamics between stakeholders.

This combination allows for holistic project management. Coupled with collaboration, empathy and inclusive decision-making, these qualities help ensure that technical solutions translate into meaningful outcomes for both teams and the communities they serve.

 What role do you see women playing in South Africa’s energy transition, both technically and in leadership?

Women have a crucial role to play in South Africa’s energy transition, both technically and in leadership. Technically, women bring fresh initiatives and innovative ideas that challenge the system and create positive outcomes. Their attention to detail, precision and problem-solving skills are vital for designing and implementing renewable energy projects, storage solutions and smart grids.

In leadership, South African women are known for their strength, resilience and perseverance, which shines through as they guide teams and projects across the energy sector. By combining technical expertise with inclusive, collaborative leadership, women are helping to shape an energy transition that is efficient, sustainable and equitable for the country.

The global energy sector is accelerating towards renewables, storage and decentralised grids. Which of these trends do you see as most transformative for South Africa in the next decade?

I see the future of South Africa’s energy as a blend—wind, solar, battery storage and even some coal for balance. But the real gamechanger will be a decentralised grid supported by renewables and storage, unlocking private sector participation while bringing flexibility, resilience and inclusivity to the system.

When you reflect on your journey, what achievement makes you most proud, not just professionally, but personally?

My dad always says: “If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.” Looking back, my journey has been filled with challenges, but each one has made the achievements along the way even more meaningful. It hasn’t been easy, but it has certainly been worth it. While I am still climbing the professional ladder and excited for what lies ahead, one of the milestones I am most proud of is earning my Professional Engineering Technologist registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). For me, it represents not just a credential, but a reminder that perseverance, hard work and passion can turn obstacles into opportunities.

 What legacy would you like to leave behind for women in this sector?

Cover photo:  peopleimages12©123rf