Decentral Energy is a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions in South Africa. We design, install, own, and maintain energy assets, catering to customers in the retail, tourism, residential, and commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors.
Founded in 2009 by Executive Directors Christian Bode and Luel Culwick, Decentral has developed and operates over 20 MW of solar PV assets in South Africa. Our team has 100 MW of active development assets nationally, having closed approximately 300 MW of power assets globally. Our diverse client base ranges from listed organisations such Spear REIT through to large privately owned companies such as Pacific Paramount Properties and One Property Holdings.
Our team
Tiaan is a town and regional planner turned business development specialist. With a keen understanding of sustainable urban development and a proven track record in driving solar initiatives, he will be leveraging his expertise in Decentral to forge strategic partnerships and help companies move towards a greener future.
Jason is a financed solar solutions specialist. He assists in deal-making, developing and cultivating relationships with a wide range of partners and clients.
Naadira has over 10 years of experience as an Environmental Specialist focusing on renewable and mining-related projects. She has extensive technical knowledge in the environmental space and brings her expertise to leading large renewable projects at Decentral.
Juliet is a seasoned procurement specialist with years of experience in the solar EPC sector. She is responsible for the procurement, administration, and internal coordination of our projects.
Kinesh’s background is in finance and accounting. Having completed his articles in Auditing, he is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). He has experience in reporting and financial management roles within the petrochemical, environmental, and renewable energy sectors and is responsible for the full finance function at Decentral.
Noluvuyo has 8 years of renewable energy industry experience in commercial and industrial as well as utility-scale projects, having worked across the full project lifecycle, including design, engineering, and project management.
Christian leads business and project development and project execution having gained significant legal and commercial experience in project implementation.
Paul has a wealth of experience in junior mining finance and operations and in investment banking, as well as a special interest in the practice and theory of business-to-business sales, all of which he brings to his work at Decentral.
With a deep passion for renewable energy, Jacques has over 8 years of experience in the solar industry, ranging from installations and development to operations and maintenance for commercial solar PV systems.
Allan is an electrical engineer who started life in software development. He has worked in various technical sales roles for the last ten years before joining Decentral to fulfil his passion for IoT, automation and renewable energy.
Ben is an experienced energy executive and entrepreneur in the energy and resources sectors. He has worked in strategy consulting, project development, capital raising, and investing in North America, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and MENA.
Raised by environmental scientists, Erica first pursued a career in academia before joining Decentral. She brings an impressively varied skillset, a commitment to sustainability, and a passion for optimisation to her work.
Luel has deep energy experience and specialises in integrating the legal, technical, and financial aspects of renewable energy projects.
A 2013 Mail & Guardian Young South African, Sebastian is a professionally registered engineer with ten years of experience in renewable and solar engineering. He leads the various teams who design, build, and maintain our solar assets, ensuring that our new and existing sites operate at the highest level.
Laubscher has a background in industrial engineering and a passion for sustainable development and renewable energy. He brings his experience in data analysis and systems design to Decentral, where he works, among other things, on process optimisation and automation.
Liam has over seven years of experience within the solar industry and has specialised within the Operations and Maintenance arena of commercial and industrial rooftop solar plants, including ground mount systems.
Pieter has a strong technical background in the design and implementation of solar PV projects. He enjoys solving engineering problems and optimising systems and processes. His keen eye for detail ensures high-quality system design and implementation.
Annie is a seasoned sales enthusiast with many years of experience engaging with clients and consulting on the best solutions. Driven to provide exceptional service and solutions for her clients, Annie’s main focus is nurturing both new and existing clients.
Ale’s background is as a legal consultant, providing advice in corporate and commercial law, and drafting and negotiating agreements. He brings his expertise to the development and administration of projects.
Nick has worked in the enterprise development area for over 20 years and currently runs the Phakamani Impact Capital fund. Having completed thousands of transactions, he brings a wealth of experience to the team.
Elekanyani’s experience in the energy sector includes petrochemical, large-scale infrastructure, refurbishment, and green field renewable energy projects. Having worked in Eskom and Aurecon, she is a technical powerhouse.
Keanu is a highly skilled and experienced solar PV engineer with expertise in design, optimisation, and analysis, specialising in solar PV and battery energy storage. With an unwavering commitment to sustainability and a profound dedication to innovation, he excels at developing customised solutions that effectively maximise efficiency.
Tshepiso is an experienced solar technician with a passion for renewable energy. He brings this experience and a strong desire to make a difference within the renewable energy space to his work in the Operations and Maintenance team.