Dear SAWEA Members,
We closed February on a strong note with the successful hosting of our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the unveiling of the 2024 Annual Report.
The AGM provided an opportunity to reflect on key achievements, address challenges, and after a robust election process, welcome our newly elected board members for 2025. We extend our best wishes to them as they take on their roles, and we look forward to working together in driving a sustainable and thriving wind energy industry in South Africa.
Strategic Priorities for 2025
As an Association, we continuously assess industry trends and member needs to ensure we remain at the forefront of advocacy and sectoral growth. Each year, we refine our strategic priorities to capitalise on opportunities, strengthen our influence, and reinforce our role as the authoritative voice for wind energy.
Strengthening our Knowledge Management and Advocacy (KMA) Department remains critical to our operations and advocacy efforts. To enhance our technical expertise and policy engagement, strategic appointments were made in 2024 - a Senior Technical Advisor with expertise in grid related issues to enhance technical support and industry coordination, as well as Policy Advisor to drive our policy advocacy efforts and strengthen SAWEA’s engagement with key stakeholders. These roles will be instrumental in shaping industry discourse and supporting our Standing Committees in achieving impactful outcomes.
Keeping a Finger on the Pulse of Policy Developments
Recognising the critical role of policy in shaping the future of wind energy, we recently launched Policy Pulse, a bi-monthly mailer that delivers timely updates on key policy and legislative developments affecting our industry. The response from members has been overwhelmingly positive, and we anticipate that Policy Pulse will become an essential tool for information-sharing and industry alignment. I encourage you all to engage with the Policy Pulse emails – providing the association with feedback and requesting updates on particular topics of interest.
CEO Breakfast: Roundtable for Policy & Industry Leaders
In collaboration with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), I will be hosting our second edition of the CEO Breakfast Roundtable on 5 March 2025 at The Westin Hotel, Cape Town.
This year’s session is dedicated to Policy Reform, bringing together industry leaders and key stakeholders, offering a crucial platform for in-depth discussions on policy direction and industry alignment.
As we anticipate the release of the cabinet-approved Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), we are honoured to have Prof. Sampson Mamphweli, Head of Energy Secretariat at SANEDI, delivering the keynote address, offering valuable insights into South Africa’s evolving energy landscape.
Additionally, a panel discussion will be facilitated by Wangari Muchiri, Director: Africa Wind Power at GWEC, will explore the latest policy developments, particularly the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, and how these will contribute to shaping the country’s renewable energy market going forward.
This event will be a critical engagement opportunity as we position the wind energy industry to respond to reform-related policy developments in the electricity sector.
Quarter 2 Outlook
With the Ministry of Electricity & Energy officially coming into effect on 1 April 2025, we are on the cusp of pivotal policy and industry developments. Building on our strong relationship with the Minister and his team, we will continue to advocate for the advancement of wind energy with supportive policies creating an attractive market for wind energy investments in the country. To enable this advocacy, we will focus our efforts on grid expansion, strengthening, and optimisation through direct channels - both through direct engagement and within the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) framework.
SAWEA an independent wind industry voice at NECOM
As a key national structure, NECOM continues to play a vital role in removing barriers to new generation capacity and enabling diverse energy sources. After months of dedicated engagement, lobbying, and advocacy, SAWEA has been invited to participate independently at the Presidency level. This milestone ensures that the wind sector’s sustainability remains a central focus in South Africa’s energy planning.
The year ahead holds significant promise for the wind energy sector and SAWEA remains committed to advocating for your interests, amplifying your contributions, and driving meaningful progress. We appreciate your continued support and
Regards,
Niveshen Govender
CEO
