The Draft South African Renewable Energy Masterplan has been released for public comment.
The Masterplan defines the vision, objections and action plan for South Africa – in response to the
increased demand for green energy, and the pace at which technology is developing. The intention
of the masterplan is to define a strategic roadmap that could support the building of local value
chains and supporting local industrialisation in this new era of energy supply in our country and for
the continent.
The Masterplan is anchored on 4 key elements – 1. Unlocking demand for renewable energy; 2.
Driving industrial development of the renewable energy value chain; 3. Fostering inclusive
development; and 4. Building local capabilities – and comes some 12 years after the initiation of the
Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPP).
Since 2012, the renewable energy sector has imported over $10billion worth of goods from
international suppliers, and this number is growing rapidly given our electricity crisis and the reality
that most businesses and many households are looking to implement alternate energy solutions.
Therein lies the opportunity. Given this significant value of imports annually, and the likely growth
of the sector over the next decade, the renewable energy value chain provides a key strategic
opportunity to build local industry and create jobs locally.
The Masterplan includes localisation opportunity maps for the Solar Photovoltaic technology, Wind
technology, Lithium-ion Battery and Vanadium-based Battery value streams – and presents a
significant opportunity for local entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities within these
streams. In it also an opportune time to make use of the myriad of incentives offered by the
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. Many of these incentives offer cost-sharing grants
– significantly reducing the costs of exploration and growth for the qualifying businesses.
At the same time, the Masterplan and the opportunity maps offer an indication of the skills that will
be required as these value streams are built locally – it provides insights into how we should be
advising young people in respect of their career planning, and choice of specialisation in the STEM
fields. The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority, as well as the Department of
Higher Education, are working on ensuring that our high education and skills development
frameworks are aligned to the current and future needs of the South African economy – this is a
significant stride in working towards creating relevant skills for the jobs of the future.
So, while the South African collective awareness remains cautious, with a side of scepticism. There
does still seem to be reason for a positive and hopeful outlook – from an economic, and industrial,
perspective anyway.
Take the opportunity to comment on the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan before 18
August 2023 - https://www.gov.za/speeches/call-comments-draft-south-african-renewable-energy-
masterplan-sarem-7-aug-2023-0000