By Toyin Akinosho South Africa’s Electricity and Energy Deputy Minister, Samantha Graham-Maré, has provided an update on the country’s plan…

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Johannesburg, South Africa – March 17, 2025 – South Africa is making strides towards becoming a key manufacturer and supplier of renewable energy components for the African continent. The country’s Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) aims to leverage the increasing demand for renewable energy technologies to promote industrial development and create jobs.

Key Highlights of SAREM:

  • Vision: SAREM outlines a roadmap to stimulate domestic industrial activities aligned with South Africa’s deployment of solar PV, wind, and green hydrogen.
  • Objectives: The plan focuses on solar and wind energy, as well as lithium-ion and vanadium-based battery technologies.
  • Job Creation: Localizing a significant portion of the components and operations within the wind and solar PV value chains, combined with battery energy storage, could create an estimated 36,500 new direct jobs by 2030, contributing R420 billion to the GDP.
  • Implementation: SAREM builds upon the existing Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), which has already connected over 7,000MW of solar and wind power to the grid.
  • Focus Areas: SAREM prioritizes beneficiation in manufacturing, with a focus on areas affected by the reduction in coal sector activity, providing training for youth and former coal sector employees.
  • Challenges: Competing with established manufacturers, particularly in areas like solar panels, will be a challenge. The plan aims to focus on components where South Africa has a competitive advantage.
  • Status: While the plan has been in development for some time, it is expected to be adopted soon and is not yet at the point of implementation.

Impact and Significance:

SAREM is seen as a crucial initiative to diversify South Africa’s economy, create jobs, and contribute to the global energy transition. By focusing on manufacturing and supplying renewable energy components, South Africa aims to play a significant role in the future of energy on the continent.