Recognising industry leadership and emerging talent
TNEI colleagues in South Africa were recognised at the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) Industry Awards during Windaba 2026.
Zoë Lincoln (Principal Consultant) received the Watt-a-Woman Leadership Award and Werner de Wet (Technical Consultant) was recognised as a finalist in the Bright Spark Award category.
The recognition came during a busy week at Africa’s leading wind energy conference and exhibition, where TNEI was actively involved in industry discussions on some of the sector’s most important challenges and opportunities.
As part of the conference programme, Zoë Lincoln, participated in a panel discussion alongside representatives from the System Operator and other industry experts. The session explored the treatment of different independent power producer (IPP) facilities during curtailment events and the growing role of curtailment in a high-renewables power system.
The discussion coincided with the announcement of a new Section 34 determination for the procurement of 4.6 GW of battery energy storage and 5 GW of gas-to-power capacity. Panellists reflected on the importance of these technologies in supporting system flexibility as renewable energy deployment increases and agreed that the industry’s conversation around curtailment must continue as research into areas such as coal minimum generation levels and hybrid plant controllers progresses.
The event also provided an opportunity to celebrate success across the TNEI team, with two colleagues being recognised in the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) Industry Awards.
Zoë Lincoln was presented with the Watt-a-Woman Leadership Award, recognising her significant contribution to the renewable energy sector over an 18-year career spanning power generation, network planning and renewable energy consulting. Her work has included supporting renewable energy integration, contributing to grid planning and connection studies, mentoring engineers and helping guide the development of future industry talent.
Meanwhile, Werner de Wet was recognised as a finalist and runner-up in the Bright Spark Award category, which celebrates emerging professionals who have demonstrated exceptional promise, innovation, leadership and commitment to advancing South Africa’s wind energy sector. The award recognises individuals whose contributions have already made a meaningful impact on their organisation and the wider industry.
While the awards were presented to individual colleagues, they reflect the collective expertise, dedication and collaborative approach that underpin TNEI’s work across South Africa and the wider region.
Commenting on the recognition, Zoë Lincoln said:
“It’s a great honour to receive the Watt-a-Woman Leadership Award, but the recognition reflects the efforts of the wider team around me. Every project is a collaborative effort and I’m proud to work alongside colleagues who are helping to shape South Africa’s energy future.”
Werner de Wet added: “It’s a privilege to be recognised in the Bright Spark Award category. The renewable energy sector is filled with talented people, so I’m incredibly grateful for this acknowledgement. The award reflects the collective effort of the colleagues, clients and industry partners I’ve had the opportunity to work with, and I’m excited to continue contributing to South Africa’s energy transition.”
The awards and TNEI’s participation in the conference programme demonstrate the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of renewable energy, sharing technical expertise and contributing to conversations that will help shape a more flexible and resilient power system for the future.
"It's a great honour to receive the Watt-a-Woman Leadership Award, but the recognition reflects the efforts of the wider team around me. Every project is a collaborative effort and I'm proud to work alongside colleagues who are helping to shape South Africa's energy future."
"It's a privilege to be recognised in the Bright Spark Award category. The renewable energy sector is filled with talented people, so I'm incredibly grateful for this acknowledgement. The award reflects the collective effort of the colleagues, clients and industry partners I've had the opportunity to work with, and I'm excited to continue contributing to South Africa's energy transition."
The awards and TNEI’s participation in the conference programme demonstrate the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of renewable energy, sharing technical expertise and contributing to conversations that will help shape a more flexible and resilient power system for the future.
Find out more about how TNEI is helping developers, utilities and system operators navigate the challenges of renewable energy integration and build a more flexible, resilient power system. Contact our team today.
