Eskom and CPUT’s SARETEC sign an MOA worth R36 million

Monday, 22 August 2022: Eskom and the Cape Peninsula University of
Technology’s South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC)
have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to formalise the collaboration to
establish a renewable energy training centre at Komati Power Station, to support the
implementation of the Eskom Just Energy Transition Strategy.
Eskom has developed a comprehensive Just Energy Transition (JET) strategy which
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, Eskom has a
pipeline of clean energy projects at various stages of development, and recognises
that 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. SARETEC expedites specialised industry-related and accredited
training for the entire renewable energy (RE) industry including short courses and
workshops.
SARETEC has, since its inception, established itself not only as a renewable energy
subject matter expert but significantly contributed to the national skills pool of
artisans and technicians with special focus on wind and solar. SARETEC will support
Eskom for the next 36 months to establish a similar renewable energy Training
Facility fit for purpose to train artisans and technicians at Eskom’s Komati Power
Station.
The respective renewable energy industry associations namely, the South African
Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) and the South African Solar Photovoltaic
Industry Association (SAPVIA) are an integral part of the South African renewable
energy industry as they promote innovation and cohesion amongst all the role
players and stakeholders. Most importantly, both Eskom and SARETEC as members
of these associations continue to draw ongoing support which is well demonstrated
on this project.
The objective is to educate, reskill, and upskill Eskom Komati Power Station staff
and qualifying beneficiaries from the surrounding communities in the Mpumalanga
region. This is in line with Eskom’s Just Energy Transition drive and SARETEC’s
vision to ensure a pipeline of local skills responding to economic needs and
readiness for the inevitable transition.
CPUT’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo says that the Western Cape’s largest
university is the perfect home for a project of this nature.
“In many respects CPUT is the perfect home for a partnership of this nature because
everything that we have done thus far has distinguished SARETEC from other
energy Centers. As one of the leading Universities of Technology in the country,

SARETEC is already part of a portfolio of excellence at CPUT. We have a proven
track record of being trusted with nationally imperative projects and consistently
fulfilling and exceeding the brief. We have shown that CPUT has the requisite skills
and agility.”
Eskom Group CEO Andre De Ruyter says that when they scouted for a suitable
facility to handle the training, there was really only one option, and that was CPUT.
“We estimate that 300 000 jobs could be created thanks to the transition to
renewable energy but of course these are skilled jobs and so that is why it is so
important that we engage with a reputable education institution like CPUT to ensure
that we can reskill these people who are currently working in the coal value chain to
work in renewable energy,” he says.
Given the accelerated global movement towards investment in a clean energy
transition, there is a need in South Africa 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.
Eskom and SARETEC are committed to continue to partner with key stakeholders to
ensure that the JET goals are met in an inclusive and collaborative manner drawing
on the skills of all key role players.