Meet the Team: Hannah Rens | OWC South Africa
At OWC, our teams are constantly expanding into more locations, in expertise, and in sectors of influence. Our people are at the heart of what we do, and we invite you to get to know our team members so you can meet the energy behind change.
This week, we sit down with Hannah Rens, a Junior Consultant for Onshore Renewables, based in our Cape Town office!
Position: Junior Consultant, Onshore Renewables
Office: Cape Town, South Africa
Favourite Movie: Arrival directed by Denis Villeneuve
Hobbies Outside of Work: Travelling, pottery and also I love doing film and TV series analysis!
Can you tell us a bit about your day-to-day responsibilities?
As part of the onshore renewables solar PV team, my day-to-day involves collaborating with international colleagues, working on various technical aspects of projects such as technical due diligence, project management, and drafting reports and proposals.
I’ve also had the opportunity to participate in several site visits to both operational and greenfield sites, which has provided valuable insight into project development.
What first sparked your interest in the renewables sector?
Driven by a love for maths and physics, I wanted to study engineering at university. I have a particular interest in classical mechanics and electromagnetism, and pursued a degree in mechanical and mechatronic engineering. This ignited a passion for innovative technology and sustainable development as a global issue.
I was especially drawn to the renewable energy sector in South Africa – an interest that, combined with the complex challenges unique to our developing economy, made it clear to me that renewable energy holds the potential to drive both positive environmental and socio-economic impacts across the country.
Are there any exciting projects that you’re currently working on?
OWC South Africa recently completed pre‑financial close technical due diligence for the developer of one of the country’s largest solar PV developments.
Following this, we were appointed as the Owner’s Engineer for the construction phase, which has now commenced. The scope includes multiple planned site visits throughout the construction period, and I have already had the opportunity to attend one.
This project is particularly exciting because it will significantly strengthen OWC South Africa’s owner’s engineering track record, while also providing me with valuable hands‑on experience in this area.
It is a rare opportunity to follow a major renewable energy project from its late‑stage development, through construction, and ultimately to its commercial operations date. Being part of that full journey will be both professionally rewarding and incredibly exciting.
In addition, two exciting and unique projects I have worked on previously at OWC involved newly operational solar PV sites providing power to abalone farms. These sites featured carport-style PV panel structures mounted above the abalone tanks – a unique and efficient design. Abalone, locally known in South Africa as perlemoen, is endemic to the region and is critically threatened by poaching, poor fishery management, and invasive species, placing the population at significant risk of decline. I had the opportunity to participate in site visits, allowing me to observe and analyse this setup first-hand, which was particularly meaningful given the environmental importance of the species.
How has OWC supported your professional development?
OWC has been incredibly supportive by encouraging continuous learning and offering opportunities to get involved in diverse and challenging projects. I’ve learned so much from my colleagues, and there’s a real culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration. We have also had colleagues from several of the UK offices seconded to Cape Town, which has been a great experience. Having them here has strengthened our connections across offices and created a really enjoyable, collaborative working environment.
Finally, what’s your favourite thing about working within the ABL Group?
Being part of a small local team has also made it easier to connect with others and build relationships outside of work, creating a great environment for both personal and professional growth!
