Page 30 - Energize January 2021

VIEWS AND OPINION

REDZ role in South Africa’s just

energy transition

Information from the South African Wind Energy Association

Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZ) have a key role to play in the South Africa’s Just Energy
Transition, creating priority areas for investment in the electricity grid and increasing South Africa’s green

energy map, by enabling higher levels of renewable power penetration.

ind developers are but also indirectly through manufacturing and supply chain management,” added Grimbeek.
investigating the potential for Due to the large number of energy intensive users, in and around eMalahleni, it is seen as
development in the an ideal location to promote private off-taker agreements for the purchase of energy from
WeMalahleni REDZ, despite Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The deployment of wind energy, backed by a regulatory
Mpumalanga not being known for high regime that supports private Power Purchase Agreements, could provide economic stimulus
levels of wind, a challenge that can within a short timeframe.
certainly be overcome with increased Hence, the development of the eMalahleni REDZ could be viewed as a perfect partnership
turbine hub height. between Government and IPPs, further enabling a Just Energy Transition for the benefit of the
As the wind industry embarks on a communities of Mpumalanga.
journey of localisation and local economic Wind energy production is an excellent vehicle for direct infrastructure investment and a
development, industry players believe that positive multiplier of economic effects on industries such as construction, procurement,
the region can be positioned as a engineering, and logistics. It is believed that with the provision of a consistent regulatory
component manufacturing hub which will framework that supports a focused project delivery pipeline, the renewable energy industry
further entrench the positive impact on job would have the opportunity to expand the manufacturing value chain in this REDZ.
creation by the wind industry. It is “A stable and consistent project pipeline will support manufacturing of components locally,
recognised that engagement with the with the added benefit of skills development and training for the local communities. One
relevant government stakeholders is critical. cannot ignore that the introduction of renewable energy would require a significant amount of
“The new eMalahleni REDZ is a huge skills transfer and human capital investment, so we believe that by expanding into eMalahleni,
step toward accelerated economic local communities will be empowered and less reliant on a single industry to provide economic
development in Mpumalanga. As we move certainty,” concluded Grimbeek.
to implement the requirements of the REDZ are geographical areas where wind and solar PV development can occur in
Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019, it concentrated zones, creating priority areas for investment in the electricity grid and
would appear natural that a portion of the thereby increasing South Africa’s green energy map by enabling higher levels of renewable
1600 MW per annum should be allocated to power penetration. n
the northern region of the country and
research has dispelled the myth that wind is Send your comments to rogerl@nowmedia.co.za
not an economically viable option in this
region,” said Mercia Grimbeek, Head of
Project Development for Enertrag, in South
Africa and Chair of SAWEA.
“Through the implementation of national
and even regional auctions the area could
receive the economic stimulus that it needs
and reduce the almost complete reliance on
mining-generated income to drive and
support the economy. Renewable energy
such as wind power plants are deployed
fairly quickly when compared to other large
infrastructure projects. This allows for the
economic benefits to flow through to
Umoya Energy Wind Farm situated on either side of the R45 on the West Coast of
communities in a relatively short period of
South Africa
time, not only directly through job creation

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