People

We are a highly motivated, dynamic team

People

We are a highly motivated, dynamic team

;

Our staff include professionals in project development, engineering, business development and asset management.

Management

Kilian Hagemann

Chief Executive Officer

Dr Kilian Hagemann has been in the wind industry since 2002 when he became a board member of the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA). In 2004-2007 he worked for what is now DNV-GL on wind measurements, resource assessments, flow modelling and power curve related consulting in Germany, Spain and South Africa. In 2008 he completed his PhD at the University of Cape Town by publishing the “Mesoscale Wind Atlas of South Africa” as the first comprehensive wind map covering the entire country. Since 2009 he is the co-founder and managing director of G7 Renewable Energies, a wind farm developer specialising in highly efficient wind farm projects.

Nicolas Rolland

Chief Operations Officer

Nicolas Rolland is a founder and director of G7. He qualified as a mechanical engineer in 1996 from the Fachhochscule Konstanz in Germany and holds an MBA from EM-Lyon in France since 2003.

Nicolas has worked in a multinational Swiss engineering company where he evolved from engineering to key account management prior to becoming an entrepreneur.

Since co-founding G7, Nicolas became a board member at the South African Wind Energy Association and helped the organization gain momentum from 2009 to 2011.

Karen de Bruyn

Chief Development Officer

Karen de Bruyn leads the dynamic G7 development team overseeing all development work. This includes the development of G7’s project portfolio from site selection, resource measurement campaigns, land rights acquisition and permitting as well as project acquisition.

Karen is a registered professional natural scientist and holds MPhil and BSc degrees in environmental management.

Back to Our Teams

Careers at G7

Internship Programmes:

The G7 internship program involves on-the-job training and hopefully time spent working with G7, will inspire young interns with the same passion that we have for renewable energy. Depending on specific interests and skills, G7 can offer the chance to gain unique exposure to a wide range of activities and some of the latest advances in the field of renewable energies.

We regularly take on interns, which we see as a great opportunity for future generations to develop their skills and gain significant work experience. Our internship program is aimed at undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate students, as well as people looking to change career paths. Some of them have now joined our organisation on a permanent basis.

Testimonials from Interns

Thomas Michel

“The highly skilled and open minded G7 team provided me an out of range life experience and shared with me their knowledge about the wind industry; a fascinating and useful experience. For the projects, G7 focuses all its energy on developing wind farm in south Africa with the best environmental and quality standards.

I am grateful to the G7energies team who gave me the opportunity to work with them and open me the door of the wind energy industry.”

Thomas Michel – Apprentice GDF-Suez – France: (2 months in 2011)

Pedro Buzzanca

“The G7 internship program has provided me with exposure to wind energy far beyond my expectations. From the first day at G7 I was encouraged to take over own responsibilities and deal with various aspects of each project. Field works, workshops, access to information and the possibility to share my own ideas and contribute value to the company have brought me to a point where I feel fully integrated into G7 and identify myself with its vision.

The international, collegial but sharp focused working environment keeps on feeding my interests and the team is giving me the opportunity to grow in every field, on both a professional and personal level while in the mean time enjoying pioneering of wind energy in South Africa. All in all I am very happy to be offered this once in a life time opportunity.”

Pedro Buzzanca – Dublin city University – Ireland: (6 months in 2010)

Kyler Bruno

“The skills I developed and the knowledge I gained interning with G7 Renewable Energies exceeded my expectations. As a finance student, I knew accounting and the development of financial projections. The Clean Energy field was completely unfamiliar to me, although the energy industry has been a subject I wanted to learn about for some time before coming to G7. Following the closing of my time with G7, I am now comfortable explaining to someone, who is unacquainted with the process of developing clean energy projects, the mechanics of producing a proposal in response to a request for proposal. Correspondingly, if I ever had a particularly challenging task, the G7 team was always there to support me. In summation, my experience with G7 was impactful enough to influence me to pursue a career in the energy industry.”

Kyler Bruno – University of Oregon – USA: (6 months in 2014)

Jyoti Cara

“The past three months has been an amazing opportunity. It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with such talented, helpful, and passionate individuals. What I was most impressed about was the considerations that needs to be taken into account before setting up a wind turbine plant such as making sure that no bird, bats, indigenous species, watercourses and civil infrastructure are affected by the project.

I have learnt various new skills and definitely feel that this was a stepping into the pursuit of my career in renewable energy. I have enjoyed my stay and would like to say thank you to the G7 team.”

Jyoti Cara – Intern – South Africa: (3 months in 2016)

Kyle Walbeck

“Working with G7 Renewable Energies was an invaluable 6-month experience for my career, providing me with extensive support and exposure within the renewable energy industry in Southern Africa. G7 is a pioneering organisation, full with industry leadership, the potential for innovation and a strongly reputable work ethic and company culture.

I am incredibly grateful for being given the opportunity to develop my knowledge, skills and network whilst representing G7. I am extremely confident in the future of the organisation and would strongly encourage any young renewable energy industry entrant to approach the organisation for similar opportunities.”

Kyle Walbeck – Intern – South Africa: (6 months in 2016)

Justin-Lee Drexel

“Working at G7 Renewable Energies was nothing short of spectacular, and it has given me the building blocks to spark a successful career in engineering. My smooth integration into the team was fostered with tasks that are invaluable to career development that allowed me to grow significantly in the work environment.

I had the opportunity to work as a wind farm project developer, which allowed me to get hands on experience in the renewable energy industry, all while sparking a new found interest in the capabilities of renewable energy. I learned a lot about the project development stages concerning the renewable energy industry in South Africa, and also became proficient in QGIS software. I couldn’t have learned so much during my internship without the assistance and guidance of the amazing people at G7.

The team helped me make the most of my internship and always had my best intentions in mind. Thank you G7 for providing me with an unforgettable experience and giving me an opportunity to work amongst a family.”

Justin Lee – Intern – The United States of America (2 months)

Tenele Dhladhla

“From the moment I received a prompt response concerning my inquiries about internship opportunities at G7 Energies, I knew working there would be a great experience. From day 1, the G7 team made me feel at home.

I was given challenging and exciting tasks that helped me use what I had learned in my university career as well as helped me learn new things which I am only now being exposed to in my degree. The team also helped me expand my knowledge of other subjects outside of the engineering pool. Would I work at G7 again? Definitely!”

Tenele Dhladhla – UCT – South Africa: (2 months in 2011)

JC Baziruwiha

Working at G7 was the best 6 months of my working experience. The company gave me a chance to prove myself after I had been academically excluded from the engineering program at Stellenbosch University.
The company took me under their wing and to me it felt like home. Working with brilliant individuals all from different cultural backgrounds with so much passion & drive towards their work. I looked forward to going to work each day.
I was treated like an ordinary qualified worker in the room as I was given a chance to contribute to the various projects, attend site visits and participate in ordinary daily activities which made my journey so much more enjoyable.

I also got accepted to complete my final year all thanks to the brilliant team of G7 for believing in me and giving me a chance to further my career in Electrical & Electronics Engineering. Therefore, to end off I would like to say G7 became more like a family to me and it is without any doubt a place I would wish to work someday given the chance! Thank you once again G7!

Jean-Claude Baziruwiha-Stellenbosch University – South Africa (6 Months in 2018)

Roel van Ooij

“Working at G7 Renewable Energies for six months was an invaluable experience for me. The company gave me the opportunity to get my first working experience in the exciting world of renewable energy and made an unforgettable impression. I learned a lot about feasibility studies of project sites and related Environmental Impact Assessments in South Africa and witnessed all other aspects that come with renewable energy development.

The G7 team is a reliable party in renewable energy project development as their knowledge and expertise covers all project development stages. I would like to thank the G7 team for the great time and all the support and opportunities they gave me, these will certainly help kickstart my career in renewable energy.”

Roel van Ooij – Intern – The Netherlands (6 months)

Teboho Nchaba

“I had the incredible opportunity to work with the G7 team from February to August 2013. In that time, I interacted with all team members who always gave me a sense that they were more than happy to help me grasp the concepts in their respective job roles whenever necessary. While the staff gave a lot of support and direction to my internship, I was also given an invaluable space for independent work. The internship introduced me to practical wind energy projects development issues such as dealings with land owners, environmental and technical modelling issues. From these, I was able to identify gaps in knowledge which I plan to investigate when I continue with my studies.

I would thus like to thank G7 and assure them that their internship programme is certainly making a significan contribution in Human Capacity Development.”

Teboho Nchaba – UCT- Lesotho: (6 months in 2013)

Gary Martin

“As a mechanical engineering student, Project Management and Renewable Energies were two little-known fields but, alongside the G7 team, I have improved my knowledge and my mindset on both of them. Dynamic, passionate and highly experienced are the three adjectives that I can use to qualify the G7 team. Through working with them, I have learnt how to manage the development process of a wind farm project, including to design site layouts, to optimize a wind farm with the latest specialized software. I have also contributed to research and development work for the various projects of the company.

G7 has given me an unforgettable professional experience on the Renewable Energies and now I know that my future career will continue along this road.”

Gary Martin dit Latour – ECAM – France: (3 months in 2012)

Andre Troost

“Working at G7 marked the first time I ever encountered the renewable energy field in action. I had the opportunity to do market research and financial modelling and this has equipped me with important knowledge for a career in renewable energy in the African context.

I learnt a lot about what it takes to have an entrepreneurial mindset and gained important skills to complement renewable energy knowledge gained in university and through my research at G7. The G7 team is an immensely supportive group with a positive mindset and they made my first contact with the working world a seamless transition.”

Andre Troost – Intern – South Africa: (3 months in 2016)

Milena Lazard

Within the scope of my civil engineering studies in France, I had to do an internship of 12 weeks in a foreign country. Thank to Nicolas and Killian, I had the opportunity to be an engineering intern of G7 Renewable Energies.

This three-month internship has been a fully enjoyed experience. G7 team has allowed me to gain lot of knowledge about wind farm development. This friendly and very professional team has not let me be a simple intern; I have been involved in every aspect of their work.
They have trusted in my work and let me discover each step of wind project development. When I was confused about one aspect, they were here to explain me all detail I needed to get my work successful.

Most of the time, I was working by myself, they were just here to give me advises and I felt like a member of the team. Finally, I learned all aspects, which have to be taken into account to get the wind farm operational. During this internship, I also discovered a new country, a new way of living and I improved my English. This professional experience is, for the time being, the most amazing period of my life. I feel lucky I had this opportunity.

I would like to thank all the members of G7 Renewable Energies!

Salizwa Camagu

Salizwa Camagu has a degree in environmental management, sustainability and geography from the University of the Western Cape. She assisted the G7 environmental team for a period of 6 months. Her testimony about working at G7:

Thanks to Nicolas, Killian, Karen and Veronique I had the opportunity to be an Environmental intern at G7 Renewable Energies. This 6 month internship has been a game changer for me. I’ve acquired valuable skills not only about Project management, but about the Renewable energy industry as a whole, and working in a diverse team.

G7 Renewable Energies is honestly an immaculate team of triumphant individuals. Not only from the way they conduct thriving projects, but also by ensuring a safe and healthy environment for its team. Having been involved in various aspects of the G7 projects, where my work was trusted and navigated through Wind, Solar and Battery technologies, while becoming proficient in new software, analysis of projects, report drafting and servitude and map drawings.

I am grateful to have been part of a steadfast team, while being exposed to this industry and being trusted to contribute to it. Thank you to the G7 team as a whole, It’s been such a graceful experience and an honour. I believe with out a doubt that G7 is going to thrive and soar in this industry.

Salizwa Camagu – Intern – South Africa: (2021). Salizwa will continue with her post-graduate studies.

Zizo Mdingi

“I completed a National Diploma in Environmental Management at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and I am excited to learn more about the renewable energy industry. We need clean and affordable power that does not pollute the earth. It’s up to our generation to bring about the change that is needed to save the environment.”

Zizo Mdingi: (G7 Intern – 6 months – starting in August 2019)

Lasse Ohlsen

The internship opportunity I had with G7 renewable energies was a great chance for learning and professional development. Therefore, I consider myself as a very lucky individual as I was provided with an opportunity to be a part of it. I am also grateful for having a chance to meet so many wonderful people and professionals who led me though this internship period.

I want to thank the G7 team, for welcoming me to their office and for entrusting me with the task to assess the business activities and scale-up strategy of one of their partner companies in Kenya. I worked for the first time with mini-grids and I learned a lot about the different business models for rural electrification projects in sub-Saharan Africa. I realized that from now on, I want to devote my career to social entrepreneurship – this is where I can make the largest impact in terms of promoting renewable energy solutions and also helping people directly “on the ground”.

Azzedine Kimri

To wrap up my engineering studies, I was delighted to have the opportunity to work for G7 for a period of 5 months. This experience has been one of the best periods of my life. I was part of the engineering team, under the guidance of François Pigeau. I developed valuable knowledge about several technical aspects of a wind farm project. I also became proficient with new software. I was involved in the wind results analysis on several projects, turbine layout, servitude drawing and maps. Furthermore I was able to see the environmental part of the project which was relatively unknown for me. I now have a complete view of what a wind farm project is and how it’s developed. I was also able to discover the beautiful city of Cape Town and this amazing country of South Africa. If you have the opportunity to work with this incredible team it should be : YES! They are passionate about clean energy and have a great culture.

Jonathan Bampfield Duggan

My one-year internship at G7 Renewable Energies has been an amazing experience, right from the start you are assigned important roles and responsibilities that have a high meaningful impact on the company.

I was fortunate enough to begin my journey at G7 by working on the Oya Energy Project which when constructed will be the largest dispatchable renewable energy project in the world.

Working on Oya, I have developed new software, analytical and communication skills and it has given me a complete overview of how a renewable energy project is developed within South Africa. G7 also takes you out your comfort zone by giving you tasks from other departments which leads to personal growth and a better understanding of the overall process of the development phase of the project.

I am very grateful for working with G7, as the company promotes personal growth and encourages new and unique ideas to solve problems. The comradery between team members is what stands out for me the most and that you feel part of a team when you work here.

Thank you G7 for giving me this great opportunity to learn and develop from your company, it has truly been a great experience!

Jacob Pienaar

Jacob Pienaar obtained a degree in civil engineering from Stellenbosch University in 2017. After a few years abroad, where he worked in the traffic and transportation engineering sector, he joined G7 first as an intern, and then on a permanent basis as Civil Engineer. Jacob had the following to say about his internship:

“I would summarise an internship with G7 as the perfect learning curve for anyone interested in the overall project life cycle of renewable energy projects, from feasibility to construction and operation. My internship offered a fresh perspective on collaboration to achieve project objectives and presented opportunities to improve hard and soft skills.

I am lucky to be part of an amazing working culture, one which encourages personal and professional development, proactiveness and that rewards initiative. The work-environment is one I am proud to be part of.

I would like to thank G7 for allowing me to liaise directly with key stakeholders. Thanks for allowing me to discover, learn and grow. A special thanks to Francois Pigeau, who continues to guide, support and align the ever-growing engineering team. I look forward to being part of this company on a permanent basis.”

Alma Messina

I had the chance to join the G7 team for a period of 6 months as part of my gap year. Having chosen the “Energy Process” specialisation in engineering school, it was an incredible opportunity to work with a team of renewable energy enthusiasts and to discover the South African energy market. I joined the engineering team under the supervision of François Pigeau.

I was able to acquire new skills and learn new software. I was lucky enough to be taken out into the field, which was totally new to me and allowed me to see first-hand what I was working on. This internship finally gave me a good understanding of the development stages of a wind project. The company culture was incredible. I was very well received and the different people I worked with were all patient with me and I was always able to find someone to answer my questions. G7 gives you the opportunity to take responsibility and encourages curiosity and initiative. I finally got to discover a beautiful country and the wonderful city of Cape Town. I came out of this internship more motivated than ever to continue in the energy field!

Alma Messina – Intern – South Africa: (6 months in 2022)

Lindsey Feldman

My 6 month internship at G7 was the absolute best way to kick start my career and make a break-through into the workforce.

I have gained a wide range of new skills and a broader understanding of the renewable energy project development process.

I added to my technical skills by learning a wide variety of new software which I had never worked with before. I was fortunate enough to gain some exposure in the environmental field too allowing me a more well-rounded understanding of the development process. At all times, all my colleagues were patient and kind while I undertook to learn from the exceptionally talented and inspired team. The work culture is truly one of a kind- where one is encouraged to grow and learn.

Thank you to G7 for allowing me the opportunity to be part of their team for the period of my internship and then believing in my abilities to the point of offering me a position as a fulltime project engineer. I am very excited for what the future holds.

Clyde Martch

Clyde Martch is an LLB graduate and holds a Masters in Environmental law from the University of Cape Town. He is passionate about sustainability with a specific interest in renewable energy. Besides his interest in sport, Clyde also enjoys nature and spent time as a volunteer at the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).

Clyde Martch – Intern – South Africa: (2021-Current)

Denzel Ndhlovu

Denzel is a young Electrical Engineering professional. He joined the G7 team in October 2022 as PV Engineer after an internship of 6 months. Denzel said, “During my internship, I was looking forward to going to work every day because I was doing something that I thought was fascinating and valuable. I received enough guidance that I was able to make progress on tasks that I would normally deem out of my grasp. Almost everything was educational throughout the internship, as long as I was prepared to admit my ignorance and seek assistance. Every novice question was met with a laughter and a jest, but I was always attentively educated and mentored. I was exposed to real-world bankable project data; PVSyst simulations for utility-scale renewable energy facilities were a typical day at work.

G7 enabled me to expand my industrial skills and obtain considerable job experience, and I am grateful to announce that I currently work here.”

Dolly Masilela

As a Wind Analyst intern at G7 Energies, I had the opportunity to work on several exciting projects that helped me to develop my skills in Wind data analysis. I was able to collaborate with an experienced team and learn from their expertise while also taking on individual responsibilities that challenged me to grow.

Throughout my internship, I received great support and guidance from my manager and colleagues, and the company culture is superb. They provided me with the training I needed to succeed and encouraged me to ask questions and explore different solutions to problems.

Overall, my internship at G7 was an amazing experience that allowed me to deepen my understanding of wind energy analysis. I am grateful for the opportunity and for the lessons learned, and I am confident that this experience has prepared me for my future career as a Wind Analyst.

Dolly Masilela– Intern – South Africa: (2022)