Lambona Ferdinand “Ompi” Aphane
Deputy Director General for Policy, Planning and Clean Energy Department of Energy, South Africa

Mr Labona Aphane was appointed to his current position as Deputy Director General Policy, Planning, and Clean Energy in the Department of Energy, Republic of South Africa, in September 2012. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Natal and completed a graduate training course at the Ingagane, Hendrina, Grootvlei, Arnot and Komati power stations, majoring in the generation of power stations on auxiliary plant, turbine, and generator system designs, and life extension and modification. He was seconded to Powergen plc in the United Kingdom (UK) on a scholarship where he obtained experience in the UK electricity spot market. He then joined the Department of Minerals and Energy in May 2003 as chief director: Electricity. Mr Aphane is an experienced energy policy framework developer who is also a qualified professional electrical engineer. He acts as an advisor to the Minister of Energy on energy security matters and has championed the development of the country’s integrated resource plan for electricity 2010 – 2030. Mr Aphane also advised on the transmission interconnection with neighbouring countries, and provided oversight for the electricity distribution sector reform and consolidation process into regional electricity distributors.