A Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence (RECE) launched in the Northern Cape will serve as a platform for innovation and skills development in the renewable energy sector.

The centre will support research, development and innovation in the energy sector, informing and influencing policy decisions and supporting human capital development.

The centre hopes to produce the necessary skills needed for the expansion of the Green Economy, thus giving promise to the steady positive transformation of the skills profile of the province and region in particular.

Speaking at the launched of the Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence, Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas argued that the centre is testament to the strong collaboration among academia, the private sector, and government in the area of renewable energy.

 

Northern Cape — a net producer

The Provincial Renewable Energy Strategy has been developed to unlock existing potential and to position the province to attract both local and foreign investment. Lucas argued that the Northern Cape has abundant renewable energy sources and is strategically poised for renewable energy projects.

“In terms of the strategy, we will become a net producer of renewable energy to the rest of the country by 2020. The Renewable Energy Independent Producers Procurement Programme, directed by the Department of Energy, has thus far approved 31 projects for the province. This means that we are well on our way to become the renewable energy hub.”

 

Developing skills

“For our country and province to successfully embark on the major renewable energy programme it will be necessary to train many more skilled people over the next few years so the involvement of FET colleges, universities and other institutions are essential,” explained Lucas.

“Such ground-breaking initiatives will ensure that the solar industry in the Northern Cape and the country would not lack skilled labour and the technological services required to support a steady economic growth in the sector.”