South Africa’s wind energy success story continues into 2017 with well over 1 gigawatt (GW) of power now feeding electricity into the country’s grid. More than 3 GW of wind energy has already been allocated through the Government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer’s Programme (REIPPPP) – and more is due to be announced shortly under the next bidding round (expanded and expedited 4th round). The South African Wind Energy Association has set a target of 30 GW of wind by 2030.
Wind energy is still a relatively new industry in South Africa, but it is already 40% cheaper than new coal power produced by South Africa’s state utility Eskom. In 2011 there were just 10 turbines in the country – now there are over 450 turbines.
Johan van den Berg, CEO of SAWEA, will explain during this webcast, the context, opportunities and challenges faced by companies wishing to set up their wind business in South Africa.
Attendees will hear about:
- How the bidding system works, especially the unique features like enterprise development (“ED”) and socio economic development (“SED”)
- How to embrace the spirit of the procurement system
- Where in the supply chain the best opportunities lie
- What to make of the vocal vanguard of conventional energy proponents
- How to plot a rough timeline on new policy directions
Steve Sawyer
Secretary General
GWEC (Global Wind Energy Council)
Steve Sawyer, Secretary-General of GWEC, has worked in the energy and environment field since 1978, with a particular focus on climate change and renewable energy since 1988. He spent many years working for Greenpeace International, representing the organization at intergovernmental and industry fora primarily on energy and climate issues. At GWEC he is focused on working with intergovernmental organisations such as the UNFCCC, IPCC, IRENA, IEA, IFC and ADB to ensure that wind power takes its rightful place in the energy options for the future; and with opening up new markets for the industry worldwide.
Johan Van den Berg
CEO
South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA)
Johan van den Berg is the CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association, the Chair of the South African Renewable Energy Council and the African Private Sector Focal Point for the Africa-EU Energy Partnership. A barrister, he has spent eighteen years in dispute resolution; environmental mediation; climate change avoidance/emissions trading; and efforts to deploy renewable energy in Southern Africa. He is a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Energy and was awarded the 2015 Global Sustainable Leadership Award by the World CSR congress in Mumbai, India.
