Johann van den Berg
CEO, South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), South Africa

Johann van den Berg is the CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA). A lawyer by training, Mr. van den Berg practiced as an advocate before, in 2002, specializing in climate change. Subsequently, he has worked with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in several developing countries on legal ‘capacity-building’ regarding the CDM. He is currently an executive director of CDM Africa Climate Solutions, a firm which he founded and that advises on carbon finance issues across Southern Africa. Mr. van den Berg is intimately acquainted with the regulatory environment for RETs in South Africa and has working relationships with most of the leading players. In addition to wind energy, he also has ‘hands-on’ experience and understanding of the various technologies, their costs, likely load factors, strengths and weaknesses and inherent risks in the waste gas to energy, waste heat to energy, biomass and biogas to energy sectors.