CEO Voice - June 2023
Dear Members,
This month not only did we commemorate Global Wind Day on the 15th of June, South Africa also celebrated the Youth through numerous events across the country.
In advocating for the implementation of ambitious, consistent South African energy policy that harnesses the country’s immense wind resource and results in the streamlined growth of a wind power asset base, I had the opportunity to speak at the Annual Green Youth Indaba themed ‘Promoting Youth Participation and Sustainable Skills Development For A Just Transition.’ The event drew together over 700 exceptional young people specially selected by their universities, municipalities and organisations, based on the initiatives these young people are undertaking to better our environment.
Still on the just transition discussion, we plan to formally respond to Eskom’s recently published Interim Grid Capacity Allocation Rules (IGCAR) based on member feedback. We noted the efforts being made by Eskom to ensure a fair, equitable and transparent allocation of the limited available grid capacity in a structured and coordinated approach, but warned the impact that the new rules may have on investor confidence. For the country to realise a balanced and reliable energy mix, we need to fully acknowledge the current grid constraints and the limitations this places on the energy sector. Therefore, the envisaged process needs to be one that is practical and encourages or stimulates more and better participation. In general, given the current state of the energy sector, a better environment is requisite to attract much needed investment, in order to urgently bolster our electricity network with new generation capacity including the infrastructure required to support that.
On a stakeholder relations note, I am happy to report our partnership with the Danish Embassy which has committed financial endorsement for SAWEA’s initiatives for a period of approximately 18 months. This will really assist us to have an impact on our greater stakeholders, especially the youth through our internship programme and EnergyDrive.
The youth are the future leaders of South Africa – empowering the youth today, means we are able to rely on key skills in the future to take the development of the wind energy sector forward. Which lastly, brings me to the news that our Junior Technical Advisor, Declan Morkel is pursuing an exciting opportunity at WSP as a Renewables Engineer. Although this is a loss for SAWEA, we are happy that the industry is rich with opportunities for the youth to explore and we wish Declan all the best in his new role. This month truly demonstrated the industry’s commitment to consider wind energy in the country’s quest to stabilise the grid whilst creating green job opportunities for the youth.
Kind regards,
Niveshen Govender
CEO, South African Wind Energy Association
