Peter Johnston
Former Director – Environmental & Energy Consultants (Fiji) Ltd
Peter Johnston is a Fiji citizen with degrees in aerospace engineering (BE, Ohio State University), science and technology policy (MSc, Sussex University) and environmental management (MSc, University of London). He has been involved in national planning, sustainable energy and environmental issues in the Pacific and, to a lesser extent, Southeast Asia since the 1970s. He taught at the University of the South Pacific (foundation physics), was Energy Adviser, Fiji’s Ministry of Finance (IDRC, late 1970s), Chief Planner in Fiji’s Central Planning Office and was Fiji’s first Director of Energy in 1981. He managed a UNDP-funded Pacific regional energy programme in the 1980s, was chief technical adviser for a national environmental advisory programme in Cambodia in the 1990s, and has been a consultant with ADB, DFAT, MFAT, the EU, GIZ, GGGI, PRIF, SPC, SPREP, the World Bank, UNIDO and other regional and international organisations.
He was lead consultant for ADB/PRIF and SPC for an external review of the 2010–2020 Pacific regional energy framework and for its 2021–2030 update. He was also lead consultant for the Pacific Power Association’s 2025–2029 strategic plan, with a strong focus on the transition to renewable energy.
Praneel Kumar
General Manager – Clay Energy Pty Ltd
Praneel Kumar is a dynamic and results-oriented leader with a proven track record in the renewable energy industry. As General Manager of Clay Energy, a member of the Sunergise group and a leading solar energy solutions provider, he oversees all aspects of the business, from strategic planning and business development to operations and project execution.
With over 15 years of industry experience, Praneel has a deep understanding of the solar energy market and a passion for driving sustainable growth. He has a successful history of leading high-profile projects, expanding market share and building strong partnerships.
Praneel holds a Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electrical and Electronics from the University of the South Pacific and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration. He has been a GSES-accredited grid-connect PV systems designer and installer since 2014. A strategic thinker with a strong emphasis on innovation, he is committed to delivering exceptional value to customers while contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Sandip Ravi Kumar
Energy Consultant / Pacific Technical Officer, GSES Australia
Sandip hails from Ba, Fiji. He has been Pacific Technical Officer at Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (GSES Australia) since 2018, based in the PPA office in Suva, Fiji, and also acts as Technical Advisor to SEIAPI. He has more than ten years of professional experience, largely in the training and energy sectors.
Before joining GSES, he was a Lecturer – Electrical/Renewable Energy at Fiji National University for more than eight years. Earlier in his career, Sandip worked as a Project Estimator/Engineer for electrical companies in Fiji. He is also a licensed electrician.
He holds a Master of Science degree from the University of the South Pacific. His thesis, ‘Higher renewable energy penetration analysis of grid connected PV systems in Tarawa, Kiribati and their implications on grid stability’, was done in collaboration with IRENA and PPA. Sandip also takes on part-time consultancies in the energy sector and has delivered projects for GGGI, UNDP, UNICEF, DFAT, the World Bank, PRIF (ADB), DT Global, SEIAPI and PPA.
Bruce Clay
Solar Consultant
Bruce is the founder and former General Manager of Clay Energy, a member of the Sunergise group. Based in Suva, Fiji, and established in 1998, Clay Energy has grown into one of the region’s leading renewable energy EPC companies, with experience delivering power solutions from small solar home systems (SHS) to large hybrid and utility grid-connected systems throughout the Pacific.
Rob Edwards
Founder, Its Time Foundation and The Solar Fund (Fiji)
Rob is the founder of The Solar Fund (Fiji), established in 2024. He is also the founder, and for 15 years was the CEO, of Its Time Foundation. He worked in the health industry for twenty-five years, including five years in cardiac rehabilitation and two years with disadvantaged youth. He was Managing Director of Health Futures Pty Ltd (1992–2008), leaving that position to focus on Its Time Foundation and his professional speaking career.
In 2011 he was a founding member of one of Australia’s most successful environmental campaigns, which stopped coal seam gas mining (fracking) in the Sydney water basin, with knock-on impacts globally. He also co-founded the Climate and Peace Forum for Rotary. In 2020 Rob was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his charitable work and activity in the professional speaking industry.
Pawan Kumar
General Manager – Grace Road Group
With over a decade of experience in renewable energy and electrical engineering, Pawan currently serves as General Manager at Grace Road Group, where he leads initiatives in power infrastructure development, EV infrastructure and energy audits. His expertise includes renewable energy project management, energy efficiency analysis and solar power system design, honed through prior leadership roles at Narhari Electrical Co Ltd.
Passionate about sustainable energy solutions, he works to advance innovative energy projects and foster global supplier collaborations. He is dedicated to empowering teams and driving impactful solutions that align with Grace Road Group’s mission to promote sustainable and efficient energy practices.
Eddy May
Co-founder & Managing Director, National Renewable Group (NRG)
Eddy has experience growing national companies headquartered in South Australia and building proven business models based on high-level customer service, quality products and value for money.
He is a renewable energy enthusiast who started NRG Solar because he is passionate about the solar sector and about seeing people get the most value from their solar investment.
Slade Ririmae
Managing Director, Green Tech Solutions
Slade Haarowauri Ririmae is a prominent environmental coordinator and project manager from the Solomon Islands who currently serves as the Central Seascape Programme Manager for WWF Solomon Islands. An alumnus of the University of the South Pacific with a Master of Business Administration (MBA), he has dedicated his career to community conservation, climate adaptation and sustainable resource management across the Pacific.
Slade has led impactful initiatives in community-based fisheries management and food systems, and previously coordinated the Solomon Islands Climate Action Network (SICAN), where he successfully secured critical environmental grants for local communities. Deeply rooted in grassroots development, he also champions the Tookina Tribal Land Conservation Association (TTLCA) in Malaita Province, blending pristine rainforest preservation with sustainable eco-tourism and agricultural development.
Holland Sikou
In the city of Honiara, in the heart of Solomon Islands, Holland Sikou is leading a team that brings solar lights and new income opportunities to rural families in the face of a changing climate. In his early 20s, Holland played the world game for his country. Playing for his club team and representing his country was a great honour, but it was an injury, and the realisation that he wanted to help his fellow Solomon Islanders, that was the catalyst for him turning his attention to solar energy.
Since 2011, Holland has been providing solar lights in rural communities in the provinces of Ysabel, Makira, Malaita and Central Solomons as the Solar Coordinator for the Anglican Church of Melanesia’s Bringing Light to Rural Families project.
Geoff Stapleton
Director International Training, GSES Australia
Geoff specialised in solar (PV) energy in the final year of his electrical engineering degree in 1981 and then went on to obtain his electrician’s licence. He joined BP Solar Australia in 1987. In 1989 he started his own company on the south coast of NSW, where he designed, installed and maintained off-grid power systems. In 1998 he was one of the co-founders of Global Sustainable Energy Solutions Pty Ltd (GSES), where he is currently Director of International Training.
Geoff has played an active role on committees within the various Australian solar and sustainable energy industry associations since 1991 and has been a member of Standards Australia working groups since the mid-1990s. For 10 years he was a member, and later Chair, of the Renewable and Sustainable Technical Advisory Committee, which oversaw the ongoing management of renewable energy training units in Australia. Geoff has been an accredited designer and installer since 1994.