Peter Johnston

Chairperson

Director – Environmental & Energy Consultants (Fiji) ltd

Email: johnston@unwired.com.fj 

Peter Johnston is a Fiji citizen with degrees in aeronautical engineering, technology policy and environmental management. He who has been involved in sustainable energy and environmental issues in the Pacific and to a lesser extent Southeast Asia since the late 1970s. He was Fiji’s first Director of Energy in 1981, 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, the EU, GIZ, GGGI, PRIF, SPC, SPREP, the World Bank and other regional and international organizations. 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.

Praneel Kumar

Vice Chair

General Manager - Clay Energy Pty Ltd

Email: praneel@clayenergy.com.fj

Praneel Kumar is a dynamic and results-oriented leader with a proven track record in the renewable energy industry. As the 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 possesses 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 degree in 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. Praneel 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

Secretary

Email: sandip.kumar@gses.com.au  Website: www.gses.com.au

Sandip hails from Ba, Fiji. He currently holds the position of Pacific Technical Officer at Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (GSES Australia) since 2018 based in the PPA office in Suva, Fiji. He also acts as the Technical Advisor to SEIAPI. He possesses more than ten years of professional experience largely in the training and energy sector. Prior to joining GSES, he held the position of Lecturer – Electrical/Renewable Energy at Fiji National University for more than 8 years. Earlier in his career, Sandip held the positions of 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 was based on ‘Higher renewable energy penetration analysis of grid connected PV systems in Tarawa, Kiribati and their implications on grid stability’, which was done in collaboration with IRENA and PPA. Sandip also engages in part-time consultancies in the energy sector and has delivered on the projects for GGGI, UNDP, UNICEF, DFAT, World Bank, PRIF (ADB), SEIAPI and PPA.

Bruce Clay

Treasurer

Email: bruce@clayenergy.com.fj

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 in delivering power solutions from small SHS to large hybrid and utility grid connected systems throughout the Pacific."

Clayton Eigenmann

Committee Member

Email: clayton@eigena.com

Clayton is a dynamic executive with extensive multinational experience in renewable energy and infrastructure. Renowned for his reliability and enthusiastic professionalism, he has successfully led diverse teams in delivering high-profile energy solutions across the Americas, Caribbean, and the Oceania Region. Clayton's unwavering passion for sustainable development drives his entire career, supported by ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation as a renewable energy expert. With a remarkable track record, he proudly highlights the safe execution of over 1GW of renewable energy systems across various countries, cultures, and projects. Leveraging his expertise in EPC project delivery, operations, and business turnarounds, He has recently launched his consultancy, Eigena, focusing on driving sustainable energy and infrastructure developments, businesses, and initiatives.

Zaeen Khan

Committee Member

Email: zaeen.khan@khanadvisory.com

Zaeen Khan is the Director of Khan Advisory, a consulting firm specialising in providing regulatory, policy, and technical advisory services for seamless renewable energy integration in the energy sector across Australia and the Pacific region. With nearly 25 years of experience, Zaeen is a seasoned expert in energy sector policy and regulatory issues. He has advised independent regulatory bodies, governments, market operators, and economic regulators.

Zaeen has been pivotal in designing energy market rules, leading regulatory and policy reviews, and addressing complex technical issues related to renewable energy integration in Australia in particular. He has served on various governmental taskforces, committees, and working groups, focusing on energy market development and renewable energy integration. His notable roles include leading the Western Australian Government’s energy department. Additionally, he has held senior advisory positions at the Australian Energy Market Commission, the Queensland Competition Authority, and the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of New South Wales in Australia. Zaeen has graduate qualifications in Economics and Law and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Energy.

Apisake Soakai

Committee Member

Email: apisake.soakai@gmail.com

Mrs Apisake Soakai is currently a freelance consultant engaged in energy development projects to address energy access, increase energy independence, improve energy efficiency, gender and climate considerations through policy design and performance assessment. She has worked in the Pacific region for three decades initially in the public service in Tonga, utility sector in Nauru, and regional energy development initiatives funded by IRENA, PRIF, EU, UNIDO and other development partners. She is a graduate with a master’s degree in business administration from Middlesex University, London.

Gavin Pereira

Committee Member

Email: gavin@climatecatalysts.com.au

Gavin’s interest in off-grid solar kicked off during 2004 as a 20-year-old, when he took Geoff Stapleton’s course in Stand Alone PV system design as part of UNSW’s PV Engineering degree program. After graduating in 2007, Gavin was a far-too-early entrant in the carbon market, before burning out in 2010 and following his girlfriend (now wife) to Solomon Islands. Whilst she took up a AusAID volunteer stint, Gavin started Superfly Limited, with the aim to provide a quality focussed solar solution to the energy access problems faced (80% of the country lacks access to electricity). Superfly has evolved since then to establishing a dedicated solar shopfront in 2017 and now taking on major 3 phase BESS and hybrid projects for the Government and her major donors. It is Gavin’s aim to promote excellence in the Solar industry in Solomon Islands through promoting SEIAPI and through utilising Superfly’s installations as an example of industry best practice. 

 

Tony Pecora

Committee Member

Email: tony.pecora@solarfiji.com

Tony Pecora is the owner and director of www.solarfiji.com and has successfully deployed thousands of grid connect and off grid power systems in Australia and the South Pacific since 2008.

Pawan Kumar Bajpai

Committee Member

Email: solar@narhari.com.fj

Pawan holds MBA & PGDCA in Energy Management, Post-Graduate Diploma in General Management, B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from India. He has 11 Years of experience in the industry with multiple roles and have successfully delivered up-to 7MW Size of Solar System with major expertise in Technical (Electrical, Procurement and Commissioning), Marketing & Sales, product integration, Service and Project Management. Currently working for Narhari Electrical Co Pte Ltd as Solar Energy Consultant since 2016. Institution Member Ships – Chartered Engineer & Member of -The Institution of Engineers India, Technical Member of The Institution of Engineers – Fiji.  

Geoff Stapleton

SEIAPI Executive Officer

Email: eo@seiapi.com and geoff@gses.com.au

Geoff specialized in solar (PV) energy in the final year of his electrical engineering degree in 1981and then went on to obtain his electrician’s license. 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) and currently the Director of International Training. Geoff has played an active role on committees within the various Australian solar/sustainable energy industry associations since 1991; a Member of Standards Australia Working Groups since the mid 1990’s and for 10 years was a member and later Chair of the Renewable and Sustainable Technical Advisory committee that oversaw the ongoing management of renewable energy training units in Australia. Geoff has been an accredited designer and installer since 1994.