With ambitious targets for the development of 19GW of renewable energy in South Africa by 2030, foreign companies are showing increasing interest in the opportunities in this sector.

Over the last three years, via the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), there has been significant development in realising this target with a majority of the initial 4GW allocation now under development and construction.

As one of the interested parties, ESB International (ESBI), the global engineering consultancy, has officially opened its new office in Johannesburg, in response to this and other growth areas in South Africa. The company, represented by Paul Farrell, business development manager for ESB International in Africa, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Arup during public ceremony attended by Minister Joe Costello, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, it was also the opportunity to sign a MOU between Arup and ESBI.

In addressing the delegation, Farrell said a significant relationship exists between Arup and ESBI, based on their joined interest in renewables. By marrying Arup’s solid base of experience in the local market and ESBI’s international construction experience, they can achieve a common good in their shared interest. It was noted that both companies have made their presence known in the market for more than 60 years.

Joe Strydom, a director of Arup described the firm’s presence worldwide and its strong footprint in Africa, with 900 employees in offices in Botswana, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe and stated that there is a synergy of business interests between Arup and ESBI.

Paul Cosgrove, senior consultant at Arup, sketched the context of the development of renewable energy in South Africa. “The South African Government has set ambitious targets for the development of 19GW of renewable energy in South Africa by 2030, including over 8GW of onshore wind. Over the last three years, via the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), there has been significant development in realising this target with a majority of the initial 4GW allocation now under development and construction. Arup has a strong track record in the local REIPPPP market, providing professional services for over 2GW of projects.  Combined with ESB International’s project development, construction management and operation experience, the joint venture enables us to provide market-leading engineering services to the South African wind industry with staff co-located in Johannesburg and Cape Town.”

Minister Joe Costello expressed his pleasure in coming from opening the new offices of ESBI in Johannesburg to another ‘marriage made in heaven’ between two significant companies. “That such an understanding can be reached is a happy coincidence, as there are great opportunities to be exploited. The renewable market is growing at an enormous rate – the targets for requirements and development structures make this the opportune time to merge expertise and experience into a combined offering.”

Following the signing of the memorandum of understanding, the participants partook of informal conversations at‘round tables’ on the current projects, different climates in South Africa vs. Ireland, applicability and application of wind farms, social and visual impact of wind farms,  current economic climate for renewable energies eg Madagascar and technical facts, such as numbers, capacity, cost, specifications, grid structures.

ESB International has been operating in the sub-Saharan region since the late 1990s, in a market that has an underdeveloped power infrastructure and often an unreliable supply. In recent times, the company has seen strong demand and growth for its engineering consultancy services and the new office will act as a hub for its operations in all of Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. From 100 offices in over 35 countries, its 11,500 planners, designers, engineers and consultants deliver innovative projects across the world with creativity and passion.For more information, go to www.arup.com.