News

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.

A group of four young dynamic people from the small town of Cookhouse, in the Eastern Cape, are stepping up to make a difference in their communities. Through their newly formed non-profit organisation (NPO), the team aims to create a positive impact on both the environment and the lives of the youth by launching a food garden project and establishing a recycling plant at a local primary school.

Over 100 local entrepreneurs gathered at the Bella Vista Community Hall, in Witzenberg, for the annual Entrepreneurship Day event, aimed at educating local SMMEs about compliance, governance, available funding opportunities, as well as engagement with key government department stakeholders.

Fifteen young people from Springbok, who form part of the Beyond Matric Programme, took part in a three-day event.  The commemorative occasion kicked off with a trip to the nearby Kangnas Wind Farm, culminating in a Youth Day event, on 16 June 2023, marked by spirited games, held at the Springbok Sports Ground, in collaboration with the Department of Sports Arts and Culture.

The exponential growth of the renewable energy sector that is required to enable the country’s energy security, draws from a fairly constrained pool of STEM skills, hence an agile approach and investment in the field of human resources is needed to face this challenge.  This is reflected in BTE Renewables’ latest annual Sustainability Report, demonstrating that the proactive implementation of ...