Capacity building project by RENAC Paves the way for renewable energy and energy efficiency in South Africa

Thursday, Dec 15, 2011

With the support of the German Federal Foreign Office, the Renewables Academy - one of Germany’s leading educational specialists for renewable energies - will this month be undertaking a Capacity Needs Assessment in renewable energies and energy efficiency in South Africa. The project forms part of RENAC’s international TREE Project (TREE - Transfer Renewable Energy and Efficiency). The aim is to define the training needs in South Africa along the value chains for renewable energy and energy efficiency. The assessment will take place during December, with the cooperation of the ministries and public institutions concerned. On this basis it is planned to develop specific educational offerings for the transfer of know-how, to be run over the course of next year.

According to the White Paper on Energy Policy, South Africa will generate additional 10,000 GWh by the use of renewable energy resources. Just recently the South African Ministry of Energy has selected various renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 1,415 MW by its Renewable Energy IPP Bidding Programme.

One of the biggest challenges is the training of personnel with appropriate technical expertise to plan, install and maintain the renewable energy technologies.

RENAC, based in Berlin (Germany), has already been supporting the development of the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector on an international scale over the last 3 years through its internationally recognized TREE education project. To date, with the support of the German Federal Environment Ministry, courses have been undertaken for participants from more than 50 countries. In November the German Federal Foreign Office took over promotion of the project. The TREE project has already won acclaim, both nationally and internationally, through a number of awards.

Source: Business Wire