News

The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) has welcomed this week’s news announcing G7 Renewable Energies and EDF Renewables’ legal close in South Africa’s Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP).

As we venture into the brisk winds of October, it is with great excitement and anticipation that I welcome you to the latest edition of our monthly newsletter. This month's newsletter is particularly special as it paves the way for the much-anticipated Windaba 2023 conference and exhibition—an event that promises to be a milestone in our journey “Beyond the Turbines”. 

Windpomp Kwekery, an agricultural enterprise based in Loeriesfontein, recently benefited from an innovative incubator programme. This initiative, funded by Loeriesfontein and Khobab Wind Farms aims to empower local entrepreneurs in the field of crops and food security, providing them with invaluable mentorship, training, and support.

The last four weeks has seen the culmination of many months, and in some cases years, of hard work undertaken by our industry and Eskom, to strengthen policy and accelerate the country’s energy transition as we embark on a period of new power generation.

We are saddened by the passing of Chris van Rooyen, a valuable member of SAWEA’s Environmental Working Group. Chris was a well-renowned bird and wildlife photographer, as well as an avifaunal specialist.

The South African Wind Energy Association, in response to today’s ‘Interim Grid Capacity Allocation Rules’ briefing by the State Utility, has cautiously noted its appreciation of the efforts made by Eskom and their dedication to ensure a fair, equitable and transparent allocation of the limited available grid capacity in a structured and coordinated approach.

To commemorate Global Wind Day, six top-performing learners from two primary schools, within the Noupoort area, participated in a guided and educational tour of the local wind farm. Hosted by Noupoort Wind Farm, the tour helped to raise awareness around the importance of clean power sources, to inspire and educate young minds about the importance of renewable energy.

A social support campaign, aimed at assisting individuals within the Loeriesfontein community struggling with substance abuse, was launched recently. The campaign endeavours to promote and encourage community members to lead positive, drug-free lives so they can become productive and responsible members of society.

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.’

In what is expected to contribute towards the closing of the skills gap in South Africa, Amakhala Emoyeni Bedford Community Trust (“Bedford Trust), and the Kempston Group which owns the Duke of Bedford Hotel, have forged a partnership to establish a chef apprenticeship training centre in Bedford, Eastern Cape – set to empower the local community.