Sustainable energy organisation the Renewable Energy Solutions for Africa Foundation (RES4Africa) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Pretoria (UP) to share knowledge, build networks and cooperate on capacity-building initiatives, studies and dissemination of events of mutual interest.

The agreement focuses on sharing expertise, capacity-building and coordinated efforts to support the country’s energy transition. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to drive sustainable development for resilient economies in South Africa, RES4Africa says.

"RES4Africa and the UP aim to contribute to these efforts by collaborating on promoting capacity-building activities in order to enhance the country's human capital.

“The MoU focuses on establishing a framework of cooperation for the two parties, to jointly undertake training initiatives, studies, programmes and projects, as well as implementing outreach and advocacy activities to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy in South Africa.”

South Africa is in one of the most intense periods of loadshedding in its history. It is seeking to fundamentally transform its electricity sector to achieve long-term energy security, the organisation says.

It aims to accomplish this by boosting private investment, adding new capacity from renewables, introducing battery storage systems and implementing other complementary strategies.

Enabling such wide uptake of renewable energy while ensuring that the socio-economic development imperatives of the just energy transition are met requires concerted efforts and extensive collaboration, RES4Africa emphasises.

“Collaboration is key to drive sustainable development and achieving resilient economies in South Africa and across the continent. The commitment of RES4Africa and the UP to exchange knowledge and to undertake joint capacity-building initiatives is an example of the power of partnership in promoting the transition to renewable energy sources,” says RES4Africa secretary-general Roberto Vigotti.

“The UP is committed to driving sustainable development in Africa, and we believe that this partnership with RES4Africa will allow us to contribute towards this goal in a significant way. We look forward to working together to promote renewable energy and to support the development of Africa's energy sector,” adds UP smart grid research director Professor Raji Naidoo.