Following a successful webinar series on business opportunities in the renewable energy sector in 2020, a second series started in May this year in collaboration between the South Africa Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) and the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA).

The 2020 editions served as a capacity building programme for aspiring renewable energy developers to share knowledge and drive effective change, while the second series has developing the local renewable energy value chain as its theme.

Comprising six instalments, the new free-to-attend series also explores business opportunities that exist within the renewable energy value chain.

According to both organisations, the second series is of particular relevance because of the recent announcement of the fifth bid window under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

SAWEA CEO Ntombifuthi Ntuli explains that the renewable energy industry takes particular interest in developing local businesses that can supply products and services to accelerate and increase the localisation potential of this industry.

Also, she says, the renewable energy sector has a key role to play in delivering clean power, whilst stimulating the local economy.

The first instalment of this series, titled Understanding the Local Content Requirements of the REIPPPP, attracted over 500 registrations and focused on the key aspect of local content requirements, within the country’s REIPPPP.

The event explored the importance of localisation, as a key imperative of renewable energy procurement in the country.

The next instalment of the series, scheduled for June 10, will expose participants to business opportunities in the project development phase of the renewable energy value chain.

Development activities offer prospects for local businesses to provide consulting services in resource assessment, land acquisition (including zoning and permitting), environmental impact assessments, specialist studies, site selection and project feasibility studies.

They also include financing, legal services, community engagement and economic development.

The webinar series is led by SAPVIA and SAWEA, in partnership with the Black Energy Professionals Association, the Independent Power Producers Office and the Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs Forum South Africa.