CEO VOICE
"...We continue to encourage and celebrate the progress of private projects, with over 1.3GW of wind projects advancing to the construction phase."
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Dear SAWEA Members,
South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) appears to be establishing a stable and effective framework. We at SAWEA are heartened by the encouraging messages from President Ramaphosa and Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, in support of renewable energy.
In his recent address to Parliament, the President highlighted that South Africa is "undergoing a renewable energy revolution, expected to be the most significant driver of growth and job creation in the next decade and beyond." Additionally, Minister Ramokgopa has expressed his commitment to an "ultra-aggressive" approach to rolling out renewable energy, including plans for a mega bid window aimed at procuring renewables on an unprecedented scale.
This marks a significant milestone, with the government showing unprecedented and coordinated support for the transition to renewables, which is anticipated to greatly accelerate their implementation.
Bid Window 7 Submissions Looming As we approach the submission deadline for Bid Window 7 on 15 August, the industry’s concerns regarding grid capacity remain unresolved. SAWEA has observed inconsistencies within Eskom concerning the envisaged open energy market and its implementation, as reported in the media. Notably, there are disputes over energy distribution licenses, with Eskom urging the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to reject applications for private trading in energy production. This contradicts the Electricity Regulation Act Amendment Bill (ERAAB) and associated market codes under development at Eskom. Additionally, NERSA’s electricity sub-committee recommended rejecting Eskom's application to reserve grid capacity for public procurement with direct implication on BW7, and has yet to provide solutions to the grid capacity challenges. The success of BW7 with regards to wind energy remains unattainable at this stage.
Private Projects Gain Traction We continue to encourage and celebrate the progress of private projects, with over 1.3GW of wind projects advancing to the construction phase. At SAWEA, our Implementation Standing Committee is dedicating time and effort to overcoming implementation challenges related to port congestion, load logistics, transportation, special purpose vehicles (SPVs), and project coordination for the smooth construction of wind projects.
Stakeholder Engaging As part of our strategy, SAWEA remains committed to fostering meaningful engagements with various stakeholders to collaboratively plan for a wind-powered, energy-secure future. We are continuously engaging both Government and Sector stakeholders, advancing our advocation for more wind energy, quicker. We have issued letters of congratulations, introduction and support to the new cabinet members within Departments of interest to SAWEA. Given the severity of the grid capacity and allocation challenges facing the industry, we have scheduled discussions with Eskom’s Group CEO to align our vision and explore ways to support each other.
Climate Change Bill Promulgated The recent signing of the Climate Change Bill into law sets the stage for renewable energy to play a more substantial role in reducing South Africa’s emissions and contributing to the global climate change response under the Paris Agreement. This Act will lead to the allocation of carbon budgets for companies, new obligations for provinces and municipalities concerning climate risks and vulnerabilities, the creation of a national adaptation strategy, transformation of the Presidential Climate Commission into a statutory body, and greater involvement of the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in energy matters. It also empowers citizens, businesses, and civil society to advocate for urgent climate action.
Celebrating Women in Energy As we enter Women's Month, we honour the diversity of women who not only participate in the industry but are also leading it into the next phase. On 8 August, we will celebrate the journeys of strong women in the sector from government, finance, technical, and policy backgrounds. They will share their experiences navigating the sector and the steps they are taking to create space for other women. Please do join the conversation, by registering here!
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to advancing wind energy in 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 any member wish to join any of the SAWEA Standing Committees or the task teams to contribute to SAWEA’s advocacy efforts, please register here. 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 3 Standing Committee Meeting Schedule: The third round of quarterly Standing Committee meetings are underway, with all remaining Standing Committee meetings scheduled for Q3 and 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 as long as 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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General Policy and Regulatory framework response SAWEA is continuing 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 5 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 to allow the industry to move forward. SAWEA has requested members to provide written comments by 30 July 2024 in order to submit to NERSA on 5 August 2024.
Interested and affected persons and organisations are also invited to submit written comments to Mr. Mondli Shozi at congestioncurtailment@nersa.org.za on or before Monday, 05 August 2024. |
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energyDRIVE MPUMALANGA 2024 We are pleased to announce that Part 2 of the energyDRIVE Mpumalanga Commenced on 22 July 2024, with Tokoloho Primary School in Grootvlei being the first visit. Part 2 also includes ENERTRAG South Africa as an event partner.
energyDRIVE Mpumalanga, in collaboration with the Green Youth Network (GYN) and Durban University of Technology (DUT), is proudly supported by the Eskom Development Fund, the Danish Embassy, and ENERTRAG South Africa. A huge thank you to our project partners, without whom this would not be possible.
We look forward to creating a lasting impact on the learners of Mpumalanga! |
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WINDABA 2024 Building on last year’s theme: ‘Beyond the Turbines’, Windaba 2024 stands firm in its commitment to delving deeper into how the wind energy sector can spearhead the movement towards a sustainable energy future for generations to come. Our overarching theme reinforces the critical need to rethink our approaches and invest in innovative practices and eco-friendly technologies and solutions, as well as cultivate partnerships that facilitate substantial change.
Join industry leaders, policymakers, investors and innovators to chart a course towards a low-carbon future driven by wind energy. With 9 weeks to go, book your space NOW!!
Event Details: Date: 1-3 October 2024 Time: 08:30am – 17:00pm Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) 2 |
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We look forward to hosting you at this year’s Windaba Conference and Exhibition! |
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WINDAC AFRICA ACADEMIC CONFERENCE The 7th Annual WindAc Africa Conference will take place 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 become Africa's leading academic wind conference, WindAc Africa aims to advance wind energy knowledge and nurture future leaders in the field.
Please meet the 2024 Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) leadership. |
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Researchers and academics in the renewable energy field are invited to submit abstracts for consideration. Abstracts are due by 2 August 2024, with full paper submissions required by 23 August 2024. For more information on submission guidelines and conference details, please visit the SAWEA website.
Join us at WindAc Africa 2024 as we pave the way for a sustainable energy future through wind. For more information, please email Tshiamo Nare (tshiamo@sawea.co.za) or Kim Thomas (kim@sawea.co.za). |
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Seriti Green forges ahead with Mpumalanga’s first Black-owned wind farm
Congratulations to Seriti Green for unveiling the Ummbila Emoyeni project in Mpumalanga, South Africa’s first majority black-owned wind farm. Seriti Green, a subsidiary of Seriti Resources, is progressing with the construction of this project, which was unveiled to the media and stakeholders on 17 July. This initiative is a crucial part of Seriti’s strategy to diversify beyond coal and support the country’s just energy transition (JET). |
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Vestas secures 144MW wind turbine order in South Africa Congratulations to Vestas for securing a 144MW wind turbine order from African Clean Energy Developments (ACED) for the Umsinde Emoyeni wind farm in the Western Cape, South Africa. Turbine delivery is expected in the first half of 2025, with commissioning scheduled for the first half of 2026. |
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Turbine Talks: Grid Matters On 23 July, SAWEA hosted the Turbine Talks - Grid Matters Webinar. This webinar served as a platform for industry grid experts to present up-to-date information on various aspects of the Interim Grid Capacity Allocation Rules (IGCAR), curtailment, and the Gated Generators Connection Process (GGCP or Proposed Gated Process). It provided an opportunity to gain insights from industry experts on the latest developments, hear from members about areas of uncertainty, and create alignment within the wind sector. |
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Coal & Energy Transition Day On 23 July, our CEO, Niveshen Govender, attended the 2024 Coal & Energy Transition Day, participating in a panel discussion entitled "The Latest Developments in Renewable Energy and Their Contribution to South Africa’s Energy Mix." The event brought together leaders from government, industry, coal producers, alternative energy providers, investors, funders and independent experts to discuss key issues such as the international conversation on energy transition, the global outlook for coal, the future of a diversified and sustainable energy portfolio, coal's role in Southern Africa, how major coal producers are managing demands to lower carbon emissions, the latest developments in renewable energy, funding perspectives on the energy transition, and Eskom’s views on the roles of coal and alternative energy in South Africa's future energy mix. |
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WOMEN'S MONTH EVENT: Women Leading The Energy Transition
Date: 8 August 2024 Time: 09:30 AM - 14:00 PM Venue: Webber Wentzel, Sandton, Johannesburg
SAWEA is hosting a transformative Women's Day event dedicated to exploring and enhancing access to funding and resources for women and black-owned small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). This event will provide a platform for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to share insights, strategies and success stories through a panel discussion aimed at unlocking new opportunities and driving sustainable growth. |
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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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