Renewable-energy programmes will only be possible if South Africa can import the skills necessary to develop these new industries and speedily grant the required permits, says recruitment agency Landelahni Recruitment Group CEO Sandra Burmeister.

Government signed contracts in November last year with 28 independent power producers for the delivery of 400 MW of renewable energy to the national grid, resulting in a R47-billion investment in the energy sector.

“We have limited experience of renewable- energy projects in this country,” says Burmeister. “For this reason, virtually all the new projects are joint ventures with international companies. However, senior executives of these partner companies are battling to get work permits.”

The quota for work permits for foreigners who have scarce and critical skills does not appear to make any provision for skills in renewable energy. Further, tough immigration laws tend to discourage migrants, she says.
“We need to bring people in to build these facilities. We did so during the construction of the Gautrain and the stadiums for the FIFA World Cup 2010. It is critical to make the sourcing of skills a standard part of any bid,” notes Burmeister.

Three US government agencies have established a Clean Energy Development and Finance Centre in Johannesburg to support the develop- ment of renewable-energy projects across sub-Saharan Africa, underpinning the importance of this sector. “Delays in obtaining business work permits can set projects back by months. The criteria used by the Department of Home Affairs must be aligned with the national requirements,” adds Burmeister.

The independent power producer programme emphasises skills transfer as well as the benefits it will bring to the local population, but skills transfer is achievable only if the country has access to appropriate skills and experience at the outset, she explains.
The US and Singapore are examples of countries that have placed a premium on importing skilled migrant labour, which has led to the rapid growth of their economies, she notes.
The development of renewable energy is regarded as being in the national interest, but the rewards of the programme will be achieved only with the alignment of all government departments involved, she concludes.