Owing to the abundance of natural resources, coupled with the success of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), South Africa is now widely considered one of the leading renewable- energy investment destinations worldwide, says energy consulting firm 3E South Africa MD Richard Doyle.
“On the commercial and residential level, there is expanding activity, but still a lot of work to be done. Net metering – where solar panels or other renewable-energy generators are connected to a public-utility power grid and surplus power is sold into the grid – still seems to be a year or two away,” he says, adding that this method enables customers to offset the capital costs of renewable energy.
Doyle highlights that trends in the industry include concentrated solar power (CSP). “It appears that CSP is going to become as large in South Africa as in other leading players like Spain and the US,” he says.
Meanwhile, Doyle notes although there has been an increase in importing skills in the renewable-energy sector, owing to South Africa’s inexperience in renewable energy compared with other countries, the Department of Energy and REIPPPP requirements are driving a number of local training and capacity development programmes.
“Government is naturally keen on eco-nomic development and sustainable development.”
3E has worked on more than 50 REIPPPP projects and more than ten rooftop projects to date. “The biggest potential we are noticing is in small-scale photovoltaic (PV) projects,” says Doyle.
3E advises clients in the solar PV and wind industry with regard to a full life-cycle view of project development for small-scale to utility-scale PV installations.
Meanwhile, Doyle manages five other South African employees, which the company hired to work at its recently opened office in Cape Town.