The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) represents the interests of its members who are invested in the South African wind power value chain.
SAWEA activities are focused on:
- Advocacy for investment in wind power;
- Promotion of socio-economic development and transformation through wind power;
- Excellent operational practice in the generation of wind power;
- Provision of pertinent information on the SA wind power market;
- Promotion of renewable power in large and small-scale applications;
- Promotion of wind and renewable power investment in Africa
A Brief History
SAWEA was started in 1998 and has operated on a voluntary base with limited funds until mid-2010. Key activities during the past few years are summarized below:
- 1998: Inception – run by volunteers
- 2005: Registered as Non-Profit Organisation with Department of Social Development
- 2005: Registered as NGO and tax-exempt entity
- April 2005: Capacity building workshops held at DBSA and the Western Cape. Attended by a total of 41 participants. These were funded by the UNDP’s GEF program
- 2005 to 2008: Informal meetings, responses to correspondence, individual support to wind energy activity developers
- October 2008: Business plan workshops in Gauteng and Western Cape. Attended by total of 45 participants
- November 2008: there were 241 Names on the SAWEA stakeholder list
- 2009: SAWEA gains momentum as the wind industry starts developing in SA
- 2011: First permanent office started in Rosebank, Johannesburg
