- Aiming for improved energy security
Cape Town, South Africa — The South African Cabinet has greenlit the South African Renewable Energy Master Plan (SAREM) for execution, aiming at enhancing energy security along with overall industrial expansion.
This initiative aims to tackle issues related to local capability, infrastructure, and funding by offering a guide for advancing renewable energy sources and battery storage solutions. It also provides investors with a straightforward route toward supporting power ventures, considering that South Africa’s electricity needs are projected to double by 2040.
The forthcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies scheduled from September 29 to October 3 aims to explore how the SAREM will influence the nation's energy composition. This gathering will bring together African governmental officials, policymakers, energy companies, and investors to promote investments in Africa's energy sector, aligning with efforts to eradicate energy poverty across the continent.
AEW: Invest in African Energies stands out as the premier platform for project developers, investors, technological suppliers, and governmental bodies. It has become the recognized venue for sealing agreements within the African energy sector. Feel free to visit. http://www.AECWeek.com For additional details regarding this thrilling occasion.
In South Africa, there is an aim for significant expansion within the realm of renewable energy. This effort includes bolstering the robustness of their power grid via substantial financial commitments towards both generating facilities and transmission networks. Underpinned by initiatives like the updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which was refreshed in 2023, the nation anticipates adding approximately 29.5 gigawatts of additional capacity by 2030. Outlined plans specify that out of this total, around 14.4 gigawatts should come from wind sources with another 6 gigawatts expected to originate from solar technologies. In the most recent solicitation phase under the IRP banner, they seek to acquire up to 6.8 gigawatts worth of renewables, along with allocations set aside at 3 gigawatts each for natural gas and coal contributions respectively.
To achieve these objectives, the SAREM seeks to capitalize on increasing demand for renewable energy and storage solutions, concentrating particularly on solar power, wind technology, lithium-ion batteries, and vanadium-based battery systems to spur industrial growth within South Africa. This strategic plan hinges on four key pillars: enhancing domestic appetite for renewables and their storage through improving systemic preparedness; promoting industrial expansion by establishing robust supply chains for both green energy sources and battery storage; encouraging broad economic participation by transforming the sector inclusively; and cultivating indigenous expertise via skill enhancement and cutting-edge technological innovations.
The SAREM is anticipated to boost the burgeoning South African renewable energy sector. As per the African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy 2025 Outlook, both South Africa and Egypt are projected to remain at the forefront of power generation across the continent in 2025.
The continent boasts more than 500 GW of potential renewable energy capacity, with approximately 80% located in North Africa and South Africa. Additionally, South Africa stands out as one of several nations at the forefront of nuclear-powered electricity production.
SAREM will promote expansion by fostering collaborations throughout the value chain, executing focused training initiatives, and tackling issues related to regulatory hurdles. Although SAREM offers substantial advantages for the renewable energy sector, the Cabinet has instructed further refinement of the master plan to encourage investors to finance these ventures.
This encompasses the creation of green hydrogen to fulfill the international commitment of having 5% blended fuel in both aviation and maritime industries by the year 2030.
At AEW: Investing in African Energies 2025, multiple tracks will examine how initiatives like the SAREM policy will influence Africa's energy sector. An exclusive Energy Transition stage will delve into Africa's strategy for promoting an equitable shift towards sustainable practices. Key areas of discussion include Ensuring Energy Security Across Africa; Enhancing Local Benefits; Expanding Renewable Energy Deployment; and numerous additional subjects.
At the Powering Africa event, sessions will tackle key issues and prospects related to Africa’s electrical power sector. In particular, for South African participants, talks centered around Closing the Electrical Deficit; Enhancing Energy Efficiency; Boosting Cooperation Between Government and Business Sectors; Expanding Energy Sources, among others, aim to pinpoint investment possibilities and development projects for stakeholders.
In the meantime, an "Invest in African Energies: Country Spotlight on South Africa" will analyze the nation's energy sector, covering the progress of oil and gas initiatives as well as the rollout of large-scale renewable energy programs.
Ranging from green hydrogen utilization to battery storage systems to solar, wind, and natural gas technologies, the spotlight will examine how an interconnected energy portfolio can shape the nation's energy prospects.