Eskom and the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formalise their collaboration to develop renewable energy artisan skills in South Africa, to support the implementation of Eskom’s Just Energy Transition (JET) strategy.
Eskom and SARETEC are working together to establish a renewable energy skills training facility at Eskom’s Komati Power Station.
Eskom has developed a comprehensive JET strategy which places equal importance on the transition to lower carbon technologies, and the ability to do so in a manner that is just. In support of this strategy, Eskom has a pipeline of clean energy projects at various stages of development and recognises that there is a dire lack of skills along the value chain.
As an initiative of the Department of Higher Education and Training through the National Skills Fund, SARETEC was established as the first national renewable energy technology centre and is managed by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). SARETEC manages specialised industry-related and accredited training for the renewable energy industry, including short courses and workshops.
Since its inception, SARETEC has established itself as a renewable energy subject matter expert and has contributed significantly to the national skills pool of artisans and technicians, with a special focus on wind and solar energy. SARETEC will support Eskom for the next 36 months to establish a similar renewable energy training facility, fit for purpose to train artisans and technicians at Eskom’s Komati Power Station. The facility will be managed by Eskom’s Academy of Learning (EAL).
The respective renewable energy industry associations, the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) and the South African Solar Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), are an integral part of the South African renewable energy industry as they promote innovation and cohesion among all the role players and stakeholders. Importantly, both Eskom and SARETEC, as members of these associations, continue to draw ongoing support from them, which is well demonstrated on this project.
In establishing the new training facility, the objective is to educate, reskill, and upskill Eskom Komati Power Station staff and qualifying beneficiaries from the surrounding communities in the Mpumalanga region. This is in line with Eskom’s Just Energy Transition drive and SARETEC’s vision to ensure a pipeline of local skills responding to economic needs and readiness for the inevitable energy transition.
Given the accelerated global movement towards investment in the transition to clean energy, there is a need in South Africa to upskill, retrain and develop a workforce to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the transition. Moreover, the risk of job losses and redundancy resulting from the transition presents an opportunity to provide training and upskilling for new industries that can be scaled up to meet the needs of the transition, particularly in the renewables industry.
Eskom and SARETEC are committed to continue working in partnership with key stakeholders to ensure the JET goals are met in an inclusive and collaborative manner, drawing on the skills of all key role players.
For more information visit: www.eskom.co.za