CEO VOICE
"This year’s event reaffirmed Windaba as a cornerstone of our industry’s calendar, with over 130 speakers, 950 delegates, and 40 exhibitors coming together to address the challenges facing South Africa’s energy future"
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Dear SAWEA Members,
As we conclude another successful Windaba, South Africa’s premier wind energy conference, we are filled with immense pride. This year’s event reaffirmed Windaba as a cornerstone of our industry’s calendar, with over 130 speakers, 950 delegates, and 40 exhibitors coming together to address the challenges facing South Africa’s energy future.
Due to the extensive planning and focus on Windaba 2024, we made the decision to release this September edition of our newsletter after the event, whilst ensuring an unforgettable conference experience. This allowed us to reflect on the outcomes of the conference and provide you with a more strategic overview of the discussions, insights, and key takeaways that emerged from our gathering.
Windaba Connect: Setting the Tone Windaba Connect set the tone for the conference by focusing on social impact issues, a key priority for the industry. It provided a platform for meaningful reflection and dialogue on how wind energy can contribute to positive societal change. By exploring the socio-economic benefits of renewable energy, the session emphasized the role wind energy plays in fostering inclusive growth and addressing disparities in communities.
A Growing Platform for Impact Over the past 13 years, Windaba has grown not only in delegate numbers but also in its influence. It stands as the only South African-owned renewable energy conference, showcasing our nation’s capacity to build a resilient and sustainable energy future. Alongside Windaba, WindAc delivered a dynamic academic program, providing a space for researchers and innovators to collaborate and contribute to the sector’s growth.
Key Themes and Challenges The central focus of this year’s event was South Africa’s pressing energy needs, with grid capacity identified as the most critical challenge. Industry leaders such as Bernard Magoro and Priscillah Mabelane shared action-oriented strategies aimed at tackling this issue, while the Minister of Energy & Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, delivered an inspiring keynote on wind energy’s role in the country’s just energy transition.
Celebrating Excellence Windaba also shone a spotlight on the sector’s outstanding achievements through the annual SAWEA Industry Recognition Awards, which honoured individuals and organisations that have excelled across the wind energy value chain. Congratulations to all our winners!
A Grateful Reflection None of this would have been possible without the support of our sponsors, partners, speakers, and delegates. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of Windaba 2024. Special thanks go to the SAWEA team for their dedication and hard work in delivering an event of this scale.
We look forward to continuing this journey of collaboration, growth, and innovation as we work towards a secure, sustainable energy future for South Africa.
P.S. What happened at the Gala Dinner, stays at the Gala Dinner.
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 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: 22 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 engagement of key stakeholders for 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 Master Plan which is in its final stages following rounds of public engagement in 2023. |
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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. SAWEA subsequently consolidated the industry comments in consultation with the relevant Standing Committee chairpersons and submitted them to NERSA on Monday, 10 September 2024. Members can access this submission below. |
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South African Wholesale Electricity Market Code (SAWEM) The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) released the SAWEM (South African Wholesale Electricity Market) Market Code draft in April 2024. Since inception, multiple workshops with industry are underway to support the understanding of the said Code along with clarifying the novice concepts therein. The Market Code outlines the methodologies around the sale and purchase of electrical energy by participating generators, traders and retailers on a short-term basis. This forms part of a greater framework for a more sustainable and secure supply. SAWEA intends to provide industry comments on the Market Code with a focus to implement the best solution that will allow the industry to move forward in respect of comprehension and application of the Code. The SAWEM Market Code Draft Report and the SAWEM Specification are attached. The Specification serves as supplementary material to the report. SAWEA will subsequently consolidate and finalise the industry comments in consultation with the relevant Standing Committee chairpersons. These were officially submitted to NTCSA on Monday, 30 September 2024. The final submission of the industry comments will be provided to members. |
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Updated DFFE Vulture Protocol Out for Comment – Cape Vulture Protocol Reporting Requirements The DFFE published the latest proposed amendment to the National Environmental Management Act of 1998 (as Government Notice No. 5113 published in Government Gazette No. 51022 on 8 August 2024 for comment), 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 that exceed the 20MW threshold and hence require Environmental Authorisations (EAs) members were invited to submit their comments and inputs to the SAWEA secretariat. It was requested to 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. SAWEA consolidated and finalised the industry comments in consultation with the relevant Standing Committee chairpersons and Task Team leads and officially submitted to the DFFE on Friday, 06 September 2024. The final industry submission can be accessed below. |
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energyDRIVE CAPE ROUTE 2024 In partnership with DUT and the Green Youth Network, the energyDrive Cape Route, now in its 7th year, will visit over 30 schools across three Cape Provinces from 7 to 30 October 2024. This initiative aims to promote renewable energy awareness and education, engaging learners across various regions and fostering a sense of responsibility for a sustainable and clean energy future.
We are proud to see growing participation from IPPs and stakeholders each year since the programme’s inception in 2017. Special thanks to our project partners: Mainstream Renewable Power, Noblesfontein Wind Farm, Enel Green Power, Dorper Wind Farm, Scatec, and EDF Renewables.
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ENERTRAG South Africa discusses renewable energy development on GreenCape podcast series!
Mercia Grimbeek, Head of Project Development at ENERTRAG South Africa, recently appeared on the GreenCape podcast, part of the Mpumalanga Policy Discussion Map initiative supported by the Royal Danish Embassy. In her interview with Michael Avery, Grimbeek discussed the company's strategic investment in wind and solar projects in regions historically dependent on coal and thermal energy.
She emphasised their goal of providing renewable energy directly to communities rather than cutting off their access. A recognised leader in the sector, Grimbeek was named an Africa Energy Elite in 2022 and received the AEE Energy Professional of the Year award. She shared insights into the challenges ENERTRAG faces and the partnerships that help them overcome these hurdles in the renewable energy landscape. |
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Renewable Energy Impact at Work - An Entrepreneurial Success Story In the small community of Onseepkans, near Pofadder, Nicolette Josop has successfully launched her business, Ini Hoeki Mobiele Koswa, with support from a grant provided by Konkoonsies Solar Power. This initiative aims to promote small-scale entrepreneurship and create jobs in rural areas.
The mobile kitchen has already resulted in new job opportunities, filling one permanent and one temporary position, highlighting the programme’s success in enhancing local employment within Onseepkans, a settlement along the Orange River. Globeleq South Africa Management Services is spearheading sustainable development through projects like Konkoonsies Solar Power, demonstrating how renewable energy can empower both individuals and communities. |
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SEPTEMBER 2024 EVENTS RECAP |
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SAWEA participated at Women In Just Energy Transition Summit On 7 September 2024, CEO Niveshen Govender participated in the Unleashing Leadership Potential (ULP) Foundation's "Women In Just Energy Transition Summit" in Midrand. He joined a distinguished panel that included Priscilla Mabelane, Maurice Radebe, Nthato Minyuku, Janice Finlay, Fani Tshifularo, Brian Day, and Nomawethu Qase. Founded in 2010, ULP is a leadership development platform aimed at promoting value-based leadership, good governance, ethics, and integrity among professionals, especially young people. |
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South Africa’s Renewable Energy Investment Report Card On 11 September 2024, CEO Niveshen Govender facilitated a Creamer Media webinar on South Africa’s Renewable Energy Investment Report Card. He engaged in discussions with a distinguished panel that included Brian Day, Karel Cornelissen, Bernard Magoro, and Heather Orton. The webinar provided insights into the state and future of renewable energy investments, focusing on the percentage of electricity generated by wind and solar plants, expected growth compared to other countries, challenges affecting projects, and the effectiveness of the policy framework for private wheeling of electricity. |
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RES4Africa Foundation's AM-Powering Connexions On 26 September 2024, SAWEA supported a session focused on private sector participation in grid development, emphasising the critical role of transmission and distribution grids in providing reliable electricity and facilitating the integration of renewable generation. Speakers included Shaakira Karolia from the Ministry of Energy & Electricity, Tilana De Meillon from the IFC, and Lorenzo Vilona from RES4Africa Foundation. The discussion highlighted the National Treasury’s intention to implement a pilot Independent Power Transmission Project and explored the importance of private sector involvement in driving South Africa’s energy transition. |
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