Adoption of Energy Masterplan: Solar PV industry celebrates the outcome of a collaborative effort
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South Africa’s energy future relies on all roleplayers and all stakeholders working together and finding the best mix of solutions that delivers an energy-secure tomorrow.
The adoption by Cabinet of the SA Renewable Energy Master Plan, says the solar PV industry association body SAPVIA, is the perfect case-study of what can be achieved in the pursuit of this goal.
“We were privileged to have served on the steering committee since the inception of the SAREM process and saw first-hand how everyone pulled in the same direction. As members of the committee we could represent the solar PV industry in the plan’s development and the news that the plan has now been adopted is truly worth celebrating,” says SAPVIA CEO Dr Rethabile Melamu.
The SAREM is an inclusive industrial development plan for the renewable energy and storage value chains by 2030. The department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced on Friday, 28 March, that the plan had now been formally adopted by Cabinet for implementation.
The vision of the SAREM is underpinned by six key objectives:
- Grow the economy by fostering the rollout of renewable energy and battery storage projects.
- Expand the industrial capacity in the renewable energy and storage value chain.
- Create and sustain decent employment across the value chain, from manufacturing, construction and services, to end-of-life management.
- Build the capabilities needed for the industry.
- Build a transformed industry throughout the value chain.
- Contribute to a just transition and support the inclusive shift of South Africa’s electricity supply industry from a centralised, carbon-intensive model to a decentralised, low-carbon structure.
“We congratulate the DMRE, the Department of Trade Industry and Competition, and all our other partner stakeholders for their part in this success story. But the real work begins now – we need to continue our collective efforts in making this plan a reality,” says Melamu.
The solar PV panel and module value chain have captured the primary attention of policy makers, including in South Africa. However, localization opportunities are present in South Africa for major solar PV sub-systems as well: including mounting and tracking structures; inverters; and manufactured inputs into electrical and civil balance of plant (BoP).
Image credit: Freepik
