The Vital Role of Capacity Building in South Africa's Energy Transformation
South Africa's electricity supply industry is poised for a significant transformation as it embraces decentralisation and establishes a competitive electricity generation market. By the year 2030, it is expected that wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) sources will contribute to approximately 40 % of the total installed generation capacity. Amidst these sweeping changes, the imperative to bolster the capabilities of experts and managers in the power sector becomes evident, facilitating the smooth implementation of the Just Energy Transition.
Tertiary education, encompassing all formal post-secondary educational avenues, including public and private universities, plays a pivotal role in preparing professionals for South Africa's evolving power sector. Recognised as a catalyst for fostering economic growth, poverty reduction, and shared prosperity, tertiary education serves as a cornerstone for innovation and progress. A highly skilled workforce, armed with lifelong access to quality post-secondary education, stands as a fundamental requirement for driving resilience and promoting personal and collective advancement.
Recognising the importance of enhancing expertise in the power sector, the project "Capacities for the Energy Transition" (CET) has taken significant steps to set up capacity building initiatives in collaboration with key institutions like the Center for Renewable & Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) at Stellenbosch University, the Power Futures Lab (PFL) at the UCT Graduate School of Business, and the African Energy Leadership Center (AELC) at the Wits Business School.
In collaboration with its partners, CET has supported the development of more than 20 courses tailored to address the specific needs of South Africa's energy sector. These courses span a wide range of topics, including power system planning and operation, green hydrogen, energy policy and regulation, as well as energy leadership and governance. This comprehensive approach ensures that participants receive a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the evolving energy sector.
With around 860 participants in these courses, the institutions managed to achieve a balanced gender ratio, with 40% women and 60% men taking part (participants could select between female, male and diverse). This commitment to diversity not only strengthens the industry but also promotes equality and empowers a broader spectrum of professionals to contribute to South Africa's energy future.
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This project is supported by the South African-German Energy Programme (SAGEN). SAGEN collaborates with South African partners to support the country’s transition to a reliable, affordable and clean energy future. SAGEN is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), the National Treasury (NT), Eskom, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).
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Links:
Courses at the Center for Renewable & Sustainable Energy Studies
