CEO VOICE
"Although about 1.7GW of wind was submitted for a 3.2GW allocated round, the Association is not confident in the success of more than 75% of these projects due to their location and lack of grid capacity in those parts of the country."
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Dear SAWEA Members,
In August, the energy sector celebrated the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill being promulgated. The Amendment Bill sets out to create a competitive and sustainable electricity sector to transform, and ultimately better capacitate the energy sector to meet our South Africa’s energy needs.
At its core, the Amendment Bill supports energy security with more participation and changed management to advance universal access to energy. The Bill seeks to create an electricity industry with a multi-market structure that will enable competition, be managed by a Transmission System Operator (TSO) that will create a fair and transparent platform for the purchase of electricity and ensure oversight and regulation by NERSA.
For the wind industry, the Bill will open access to the grid which will facilitate a lot more investment into the sector. The Bill provides a national framework for wheeling which is the distribution of electricity between IPPs and private off-takers, albeit on an interprovincial level.
August also saw the submission of wind and solar bids for REIPPPP BW7. Although about 1.7GW of wind was submitted for a 3.2GW allocated round, the Association is not confident in the success of more than 75% of these projects due to their location and lack of grid capacity in those parts of the country. Should it turn out that BW7 is indeed another failed round for wind energy projects, the industry would need to revaluate the effectiveness of the public procurement programme in its current format. Our plan is to engage the relevant stakeholders on creating an enabling environment for wind energy investment through public procurement by supporting conditions that will provide the best chance of success.
Following Mandela Month, SAWEA launched our inaugural Mandela House Dinner, providing an invaluable opportunity for us to build relationships and enable conversations with sector stakeholders, with a view to shaping the future of the wind sector as part of the electricity mix in South Africa. Our guest of honour at the event was Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, who was accompanied by the Acting CEO of the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), Segomoco Scheppers, as part of the Eskom executive delegation. SAWEA’s commitment to grid transparency and development The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has been busy with public consultation on several matters pertaining to grid capacity and its allocation. This began with Eskom’s application for the Reservation and/or Preservation of Grid Capacity for Independent Power Producers. The Association noted NERSA’s decision to reject this application citing that Eskom failed to identify specific customers or classes of customers it intended to discriminate against, and did not provide objectively justifiable differences between customers. SAWEA collected, collated and submitted comments on NERSA’s consultation paper for Eskom’s application for Congestion Curtailment to be treated as a Constrained Generation Ancillary Service which was supported in principle by the wind industry to open grid capacity in the short term with a maximum of 10% curtailment on existing and new power plants with compensation from Eskom. We are in the process of drafting a response to the draft Wheeling Rules proposed by NERSA that will enable the ERA Amendment Bill and support the advancement of private offtake of wind energy. The Association will continue to engage NERSA and all stakeholders to ensure that these mechanisms are adequately addressed to unlock new grid capacity for the advancement of wind energy in South Africa. Together with our partners, we launched the third iteration of the South African Renewable Energy Grid Survey (SAREGS) on 19 August 2024. It was encouraging to see that the survey participation nearly doubled this year, reaching 483 contributions, with projected renewable energy capacity increasing by 85% from 93.3 GW in 2023 to 172.4GW in 2024. Contracted capacity has nearly doubled to 133.7GW from 66GW in 2023, with over 60GW expected to possibly come online within the next three to five years. The results of the SAREGS can be viewed as an interactive map here. As an association, we believe that the SAREGS results play a crucial role in steering current and future grid infrastructure development plans in the right direction. Such grid capacity planning tools include the Grid Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) and the Transmission Development plan (TDP). SAWEA remains committed to transparency and the accelerated development of grid capacity; and this is evident through the involvement of its Project Development Standing Committee in this survey. Windaba 2024 – three weeks to go
With SAWEA’s annual Windaba Conference and Exhibition just three weeks away, the association looks forward to continuing to drive conversations that encourage sustainability and development of wind energy, and renewable energy at large. We will continue to encourage the significant inclusion of wind energy in the country’s energy mix through an exciting programme. SAWEA appointments I am excited to welcome Mr Kevin Minkoff from EDF to the SAWEA Board. With over 15 years’ experience in the sector, we look forward to Kevin’s contribution towards our strategic priorities. SAWEA continues to grow to ensure that our members are well represented. This month we welcomed two new team members: Senior Technical Advisor, Vincent Kok, and Initiatives Coordinator, Agnes Lekula who joined us in July 2024. We are excited to have them on board and look forward to utilising their expertise and passion in driving SAWEA’s progressive mandate. As we navigate the energy transition, it is clear that renewable energy is the future. SAWEA urges policymakers to continue supporting the transition to renewable energy. By streamlining regulations, we could unlock further investment and promote a sustainably powered South Africa. Regards, Niveshen Govender CEO |
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STANDING COMMITTEES
All standing committees have formed task teams to tackle the focus areas identified. Further communication on the descriptions of these focus areas, as well as the intended deliverables, will follow in due course. Should members wish to join any of the SAWEA Standing Committees or the task teams to contribute to SAWEA’s advocacy efforts, please register at the link. Additionally, pleasesee the descriptions of the SCs and their topics in the Standing Committee Participation pack.
Task teams have begun with the necessary work to achieve the deliverables envisioned for each of the Standing Committees with the progress on each deliverable presented below. |
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Quarter 4 Standing Committee Meeting Schedule: The third round of quarterly Standing Committee meetings are underway, with all remaining Standing Committee meetings scheduled for Q4. Should there be changes to any of the meetings or opportunities to attend physically, this will be communicated in due course as we envisage holding several of the meetings as hybrid events. Quarterly Standing Committee meetings are open to all SAWEA members in good standing, provided they have registered to be a part of the Standing Committee. Should you wish to join any of the meetings virtually, please register to participate in the Standing Committee here. |
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Market Development SC Date: 16 October 2024 Time: 11H00-13H00 |
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Project Development SC Date: 07 November 2024 Time:14H00-16H00 |
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Project Implementation SC Date: 24 October 2024 Time:10H00-12H00 |
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Asset Management SC Date:24 October 2024 Time:10H00-12H00 |
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Social Impact SC Date: 11 November 2024 Time:10H00-12H00 |
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General Policy and Regulatory framework response SAWEA is continuing in its advocacy efforts by engaging with key stakeholders on policies such as the Draft IRP2023, Eskom’s Curtailment framework, the Interim Grid Capacity Allocation Rules and the Proposed Gated Process (PGP or Gated Generators Connection Process). Additionally, SAWEA is a social partner in the development of the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan, which is in its final stages following rounds of public engagement in 2023. |
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Eskom Application to NERSA for Congested Curtailment to be treated as an Ancillary Service. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) released a consultation paper on 05 July 2024, detailing Eskom’s application for Congestion Curtailment to be treated as a Constrained Generation Ancillary Service, as defined under Section 21(4) of the Electricity Regulation Act. NERSA is soliciting inputs from affected parties. SAWEA intends to provide industry comments on the consultation paper with a focus on implementing the best solution that will allow the industry to move forward. SAWEA requested members to provide written comments by 30 July 2024. Comments were subsequently compiled with SAWEA’s collated response being finalised together with the Standing Committee leadership and submitted to NERSA on Monday, 05 August 2024.
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NERSA Consultation on Wheeling Framework The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) released a consultation paper on 09 August 2024, detailing draft Wheeling Rules, made in terms of Sections 21(2) and (3), read with section 35(1), 35(2)(c) and (e) of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 (Act No. 4 of 2006) as well as the Electricity Pricing Policy Position 5. NERSA is soliciting inputs from affected parties. SAWEA intends to provide industry comments on the consultation paper with a focus on implementing the best solution that will allow the industry to move forward. Please see the attached consultation paper and Annexure B document for indicative timelines. Call to Action: Next Steps: SAWEA will subsequently consolidate and finalise the industry comments in consultation with the relevant Standing Committee chairpersons. These will be officially submitted to NERSA on or before Monday, 09 September 2024. The final submission of the industry comments will be provided to members. NERSA Submission Details and Deadline: Interested and affected persons and organisations are also invited to submit written comments to Mr Moefi Moroeng or Mr Andile Gxasheka at wheelingrules@nersa.org.za on or before Monday, 09 September 2024. |
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Updated DFFE Vulture Protocol Out for Comment – Cape Vulture Protocol Reporting Requirements Please find attached Government Notice No. 5113 published in Government Gazette No. 51022 on 8 August 2024 for your consideration. The DFFE has published the latest proposed amendment to the National Environmental Management Act of 1998, specifically for the Protocol for the Specialist Assessment and Minimum Report Content Requirements for Environmental Impacts on Cape Vultures by Onshore Wind Energy Generation Facilities where the Electricity output is 20 Megawatts or More. This reporting protocol will affect many if not all utility scale wind projects thatexceed the 20MW threshold and hence require Environmental Authorisations (EAs). In this respect, we invite members to submit their comments and inputs to the SAWEA secretariat. Please consider whether these requirements are practical, reasonable, implementable and in-line with existing expectations under the Protocol on Avifaunal Species. We have also attached: Appendix A – Notice No2178 Cape Vulture Protocol (November 2022) and Appendix B – Notice 3715 Cape Vulture Draft Protocol (July 2023) as referred to in the latest publication as well as Appendix C Notice 320 Avifaunal Assessment Protocols (March 2020) for reference. Call to Action: Please submit your comments to the SAWEA secretariat by no later than close of business on 27 August 2024. Comments can be submitted to santosh@sawea.co.za, siyabonga@sawea.co.za or vuyokazi@sawea.co.za Next Steps: SAWEA will subsequently consolidate and finalise the industry comments in consultation with the relevant Standing Committee chairpersons and Task Team leads. These will be officially submitted to the DFFE on or before Friday, 06 September 2024. The final submission of the industry comments will be provided to members. DFFE Submission Details and Deadline: Interested and affected persons and organisations are also invited to submit written comments to Dr Dee Fischer at dfischer@dffe.gov.za on or before Friday, 06 September 2024. |
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ERA Amendment Bill – Signed into Law by President Ramaphosa The Electricity Regulation Act Amendment Bill (ERA Amendment Bill) was signed into law by President Ramaphosa on 17 August 2024. It sets out a number of reforms in the electricity sector, one of which is the establishment of an open and competitive electricity market. More information can be found here. |
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Windaba: SPACE IS LIMITED!
Building on last year’s theme, ‘Beyond the Turbines,’ Windaba 2024 reaffirms its commitment to exploring how the wind energy sector is well positioned to lead the charge toward a sustainable future for generations to come. Our overarching theme underscores the critical need to rethink our approaches, invest in innovative practices and eco-friendly technologies, and foster partnerships that drive meaningful change. Join industry leaders, policymakers, investors and innovators as we chart a course toward a low-carbon future powered by wind energy.
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We look forward to hosting you at this year’s Windaba Conference and Exhibition! |
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2024 SAWEA INDUSTRY AWARDS The SAWEA Industry Awards Ceremony will take place at the WINDABA Gala Dinner on 3 October 2024. This is a reminder to submit nominations for stakeholders who have made a significant impact through innovation, leadership, sustainability, collaboration and community engagement. Whether it’s a groundbreaking initiative, a visionary leader, or an organisation driving positive change, we want to hear about it!
For more details about the awards categories, nomination process, and criteria, please visit here. |
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WINDAC AFRICA ACADEMIC CONFERENCE The 7th Annual WindAc Africa Conference will be held alongside Africa’s premier wind energy event, the Windaba Conference and Exhibition, from 1 to 3 October 2024 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). With a vision to establish itself as Africa's leading academic wind conference, WindAc Africa aims to advance wind energy knowledge and nurture future leaders in the field.
Attendance is free of charge; however, space is limited. We recommend registering your attendance as soon as possible.
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energyDRIVE MPUMALANGA 2024 By all accounts, energyDrive Mpumalanga—organised in collaboration with DUT and the Green Youth Network—was a resounding success. The initiative engaged with 38 schools, reaching an estimated 18 900 learners, educators and SGB members. We extend our sincere gratitude to our project partners, including the Eskom
Development Foundation, the Danish Embassy, and Enertrag, whose support was instrumental in the success of this initiative. Due to the high level of interest from schools in the region, we are thrilled to announce the rollout of EDMP 2025. Please stay tuned to our social media channels and website for further updates. |
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energyDRIVE CAPE ROUTE 2024
Now in its seventh year, the energyDRIVE Cape Route will visit more than 20 schools across three provinces, starting in the Northern Cape, making its way through the Western Cape, and ending in the Eastern Cape, to promote sustainable development. The initiative has provided valuable education and insights into the impact of renewable energy technologies in our rapidly changing world.
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New Board Member Announcement We are excited to announce that Kevin Minkoff, Head of Business Development at EDF Renewables South Africa, has been elected as the newest member of the SAWEA Board.
When asked about his vision for wind power in South Africa, Kevin shared his thoughts: “Wind power is the foundation of South Africa’s transition to decarbonised electricity, offering diverse generation profiles across the country that can meet a significant portion of our energy needs. In the coming decades, we must substantially increase the rate of wind power development to fulfil South Africa’s energy requirements.”
We look forward to Kevin's valuable contributions as we continue to build resilience through wind power. |
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New Team Members
We are pleased to welcome two new additions to the SAWEA team.
Agnes Lekula joins us as the Initiatives Coordinator. Agnes is a passionate and driven professional with a robust background in project administration. Her experience in managing and coordinating various projects equips her with the necessary skills to excel in her new role. At SAWEA, Agnes is eager to contribute to the advancement of sustainable energy initiatives and support the growth of the wind energy sector in South Africa. She is committed to fostering collaboration and driving impactful projects that align with SAWEA’s mission. We look forward to seeing her make meaningful contributions to our team and the industry.
Vincent Tudor Kok has been appointed as Senior Technical Advisor. Vincent brings extensive experience from the mining and mineral processing industries, as well as Electrical, Control, and Instrumentation (EC&I ) design and consultancy in the oil and gas sector. His expertise in Smart Grid technology and grid topologies will be invaluable to SAWEA. Vincent aims to strengthen stakeholder synergies between private and public partners on technical aspects and is enthusiastic about exploring potential offshore wind energy projects for South Africa. We are excited about the contributions he will bring to the wind energy sector.
Welcome aboard, Agnes and Vincent! We look forward to achieving new milestones together and making a significant impact in the wind energy community. |
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Welcome iTOO Renew Risk to the SAWEA community!
We are pleased to welcome our newest member, iTOO Renew Risk. Formerly known as Renew Risk Africa, iTOO Renew Risk has established an exclusive underwriting partnership with GCube, Axis Capital, Markel and RSA to offer tailored renewable energy insurance solutions for the Southern African market. As Africa’s first and only niche underwriting manager dedicated to insuring renewable energy projects, iTOO Renew Risk provides coverage with a combined capacity of USD 500 million per project.
Drawing on over 25 years of expertise, iTOO Renew Risk offers comprehensive property and liability insurance for utility-scale renewable energy projects worldwide, with a special focus on supporting the growth of South Africa’s renewable energy sector through the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
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Shipments of Turbine Components Arrive Congratulations to Nordex on reaching a significant milestone with the arrival of the first wind turbine components at the Port of Ngqura. This shipment, featuring over 170 turbine blades, each 80 metres long, marks a major step in the construction of 57 Nordex turbines near the Impofu Dam in the Eastern Cape Province. |
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Welcome TNEI Africa (Pty) Ltd to the SAWEA community! We are thrilled to welcome TNEI Africa (Pty) Ltd, a specialist energy consultancy, to the SAWEA community. TNEI offers expert technical, strategic, environmental and consenting advice for both conventional and renewable energy sectors and is known for developing the power systems analysis software, IPSA 2.
With offices in Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Dublin and Cape Town, TNEI serves a diverse range of clients, including utility companies, project developers and public sector organisations. Since 1974, TNEI has been a leader in the energy industry, pioneering research in renewable energy and delivering top-quality consultancy services.
TNEI’s expertise includes grid code compliance, noise assessment and smart grid technologies, along with skills in GIS, consenting and energy market analysis. We look forward to their valuable contributions to advancing the wind energy sector.
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SAWEA Inaugural Mandela House Dinner: A Resounding Success On 5 August 2024, the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) hosted its inaugural "Mandela House" Dinner at the historic Sanctuary Mandela House in Houghton, Johannesburg. This exclusive event aligns with SAWEA's mandate to advocate for a thriving wind industry in South Africa. Drawing inspiration from the renowned Chatham House, the dinner provided a unique platform for meaningful dialogue, bringing together government stakeholders, industry executives, and leaders.
The Mandela House Dinner facilitated insightful discussions, cultural enrichment, and networking opportunities, all deeply rooted in the values of South Africa’s founding father of democracy, Nelson Mandela. |
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SAWEA Hosts Turbine Talks: Women Leading the Energy Transition
On 8 August 2024, SAWEA hosted the "Turbine Talks: Women Leading the Energy Transition" event, held in anticipation of Women's Day. This in-person event focused on improving access to funding and resources for women and black-owned small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The gathering provided a valuable platform for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to share insights, strategies, and success stories. A dynamic panel discussion highlighted ways to unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable growth within the renewable energy sector. |
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SAWEA CEO Niveshen Govender to Speak at "Women In Just Energy Transition Summit"
Our CEO, Niveshen Govender, will be participating in the Unleashing Leadership Potential Foundation's "Women In Just Energy Transition Summit."
Date: 7 September 2024 Time: 09:00 AM Location: 117 Kruger Road, President Park, Midrand
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Upcoming Webinar: South Africa’s Renewable Energy Investment Report Card We are excited to announce that our CEO, Niveshen Govender, will be facilitating a Creamer Media webinar on South Africa’s Renewable Energy Investment Report Card. Scheduled for 11 September 2024 at 14:00, the webinar will offer key insights into the current state and future of renewable energy investments in the country.
Key topics include the percentage of electricity generated by wind and solar plants, expected growth of renewable energy compared to other countries, major challenges affecting projects, and the effectiveness of the policy framework for private wheeling of electricity.
We look forward to your participation and the valuable discussion ahead. |
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We're all about showcasing YOUR awesomeness on our socials!
Whether it's a current project, a stunning photo, a heartwarming story or a vacancy, we want it all!
Share your content with us and let's shed some light on what the wind community is up to!
Submit your marketing content here. |
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