Brian Dames is one of South Africa’s most experienced energy executives, with more than 30 years of leadership and operational experience across electricity generation, infrastructure, utilities and clean energy. He is the former Chief Executive of Eskom and currently serves as CEO of African Rainbow Energy, an investment platform focused on developing clean-energy solutions across Africa.
Brian began his career at Eskom in 1987 as a graduate-in-training at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, initially working as a nuclear physicist. Over a 27-year career with the utility, he progressed through numerous senior positions including Engineering Manager, Power Station Manager, General Manager of Nuclear, Managing Director of Eskom Enterprises and Chief Officer of Generation.
Leading Eskom
In July 2010, Brian was appointed Chief Executive of Eskom, becoming the utility’s youngest-ever chief executive at the time. He led the organisation until March 2014 during a particularly complex period for South Africa’s electricity sector, overseeing one of the country’s largest infrastructure and power-generation programmes.
His extensive Eskom experience gives Brian an unusually comprehensive understanding of the energy system—from nuclear and coal generation to transmission, major infrastructure development, utility management, regulation and energy policy.
African Rainbow Energy
Following Eskom, Brian moved increasingly into the private-energy and renewable-energy sector. Today, he leads African Rainbow Energy, whose focus includes clean-energy investment and development across the African continent.
His current leadership roles also include serving as Chairman of the BRICS Business Council Energy Workgroup and as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Council on the Future of Energy. He is also listed as a non-executive director of Nedbank Group and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
Brian holds a BSc (Honours) from the University of the Western Cape, an MBA and Graduate Diploma in Utility Management from Samford University in the USA, and completed the Senior Management Programme at Stellenbosch University.
Speaker & Panellist
Brian is particularly compelling for conversations examining the past, present and future of South Africa and Africa’s energy landscape. Having spent decades inside a major state-owned utility and subsequently moved into private clean-energy investment, he can provide perspective from both sides of the energy transition.
Speaking & Panel Topics: Africa’s Energy Future • Energy Security • Eskom & the Evolution of SA’s Electricity Sector • Renewable Energy • Public-Private Partnerships • Energy Infrastructure • Energy Transition • Investment in African Energy • Leadership & Transformation • Powering African Industrialisation
For your past decade / next decade conference concept, I would rate Brian as a very strong energy-sector panellist. He can reflect on where South Africa’s electricity system has come from while addressing the fundamental question of how Africa will generate, finance and deliver the energy required to support manufacturing, automotive, logistics and economic growth through 2035.
