South African power generator, Eskom, has partnered with the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (Saretec) to formalise a collaboration to develop renewable energy artisan skills in the country.
The two giants signed a memorandum of agreement on Monday aimed at supporting the implementation of the Eskom Just Energy Transition (JET) strategy.
In a statement to the media, the power utility said it has developed a comprehensive JET strategy that 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, the power generator has a pipeline of clean energy projects at various stages of development and recognises 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,” said Eskom.
“SARETEC expedites specialised industry-related and accredited training for the entire renewable energy (RE) industry including short courses and workshops.
“Given the accelerated global movement towards investment in a clean energy transition, there is a need in SA to upskill, retrain and develop a workforce to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by this transition.
“Moreover, the risk of job losses and redundancy due to the transition presents an opportunity to provide training and upskilling for new industries that can be scaled up as a result of the transition, particularly the renewables industry.”
ITWeb has it that Eskom’s JET office was opened in 2020 and has made significant strides to progress the evolution for the transition towards a cleaner and greener energy future.
The partnership comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent statement that the JET framework will serve as a key evidence-based guide for policy-making for SA’s transition from a carbon-intensive economy towards a greener and cleaner economy.
Ramaphosa put more emphasis on the JET framework as it will have implications for the education and social security sectors, and will also require work to be done to ensure the framework finds expression within government plans and budgets.
Meanwhile, the two bodies say they are committed to continuing to partner 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.
Main Image: Eskom Power Plant/Eskom
