Windaba Conference and Exhibition, ‘Africa's Premier Wind Energy Platform' takes place on 8 and 9 October 2019 in Cape Town. The flagship event of the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) in proud partnership with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has today announced its strategic partnership with the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP).

The 9th annual installation will take place under the theme "Unleashing renewable power for African development." As one of the key strategic partnerships between Africa and Europe, the AEEP has been helping shape energy cooperation for more than a decade. This partnership of equals shares know-how and resources to meet energy access and generation challenges, hand in hand with a strong focus on increasing energy efficiency in Africa.

South Africa has, since 2011, run one of the most internationally lauded Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers' Procurement Programmes (REIPPPP). Through several successful bidding rounds of REIPPPP, the South African wind market has established itself as a meaningful contributor to South Africa's economic development. With the view of providing insights into the South African experience and establishing African market leadership, the Windaba conference programme will this year provide an unprecedented overview of renewable energy opportunities which exist on the African continent, and their contribution to African development.

Over 9 consecutive years, the Windaba has brought together key stakeholders including professionals, policymakers, academics, civil society and government representatives. The conference aims to facilitate strengthened partnerships for the on the ground implementation of renewable energy projects, to influence energy policy, and provide a framework to aid strategic decision-making.

It is in working together in 2019 that SAWEA, GWEC and the AEEP aim to concretise key strategic objectives across various energy and industry sectors that are effective in ensuring a strengthened industry and the development of economies on the African continent.

The Africa-European Union Energy Partnership will participate in key sessions of the Windaba programme throughout the two-day conference. This includes showcasing the work of the joint Africa-European High-Level Platform on Sustainable Energy Investments, a key element of the Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs. Announcements of the high-level delegation will shortly be made.