New centre the cornerstone of solar energy in Northern Cape

The province has some of the best conditions for solar power in the world. It has abundant availability of flat and sparsely populated land, the ability to connect to the electricity grid at multiple points, water available from the Orange River and a developed highway system. This offers not only a unique opportunity for solar power generation but also for the testing and demonstration of solar energy systems.

"The development of the Provincial Renewable Energy Strategy is a manifestation of the fast growing renewable energy and green economy sector in the province," the Premier of the Northern Cape, Sylvia Lucas, stated. "We are well on our way to become a net producer of renewable energy to the rest of the country by 2020. Solar energy in the main is expected to unlock existing potential and to position the province to attract both local and foreign investment.

Skills gap

"To keep abreast with the changes and opportunities that the renewable energy sector presents, we need to gear up our learners to develop their knowledge and expertise to contribute to developing the local solar industry. This will assist us to close the skills gap along the clean energy value chain," Lucas said.

Errol Gradwell, EWSETA CEO

"We are grateful to the Department of Higher Education, the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) and the urban and rural technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges for their efforts and partnership with the province to help us develop and skill learners in this crucial sector."

The RECE is built in response to the call for green skills development in the energy and water sectors and the Northern Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy. The Northern Cape provincial and local governments and TVET Colleges of the Northern Cape are partners in the state-owned facility, which was initially established and funded by the EWSETA for R42m, over and above the R82m for skills development for renewable energy to the TVET Colleges in the Northern Cape.

Partnerships with universities

It has established partnerships with relevant national universities including Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University of Johannesburg, Tshwane University of Technology and the newly established Sol Plaatje University, as well as international universities such as the Ferrara University and the Bologna University in Italy, and the 4U Alliance Universities in Madrid and Barcelona in Spain.

It will play a key role in training and research, assisting the region and country in renewable energy programmes, with specific emphasis on solar and related energy options. It will be instrumental in raising awareness, disseminating knowledge and coordinating initiatives to ensure the successful transition to a Green Economy, which requires a total turnaround of existing systems that is not possible without the engagement and coordination of all relevant stakeholders.

EWSETA has partnered with the world's largest renewable energy research centre, CENER, in Spain, which will play a pivotal role in research and development and lead the development of sustainable and green skills courses at Northern Cape rural and urban TVET campuses and the newly established Sol Plaatje University in the Northern Cape.