Reskilling is essential for a just energy transition

Lamberto Dai Pra', head, Africa, Asia and Oceania, Enel Green Power

"In South Africa, 90% of the electricity is produced from coal and more than 200,000 people are involved directly or indirectly in the mining sector. So the numbers are huge and this transition can have an important impact on socioeconomic development if not properly managed. This is not only a South African problem, it’s a worldwide problem.

"Energy transition won’t happen in the blink of an eye it will take decades. So we have time to get prepared for such an event. But its is important to understand from now how the relocation and reskilling of workers will take place especially in economic sectors where it has to be implemented," says Lamberto Dai Pra', head of Africa, Asia and Oceania, Enel Green Power.

The key word for development today is sustainability, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should serve as a guideline for business strategies that really define the actions to be taken for the lowest impact possible and optimal benefits.

"We have to consider this as a great opportunity to do things in the right way. To take the right steps towards real sustainable development. But the main challenge at the heart of the energy transition remains a need for massive investments. So once again, we need enabling environments through appropriate framework. We need strong political commitments from government to encourage the private sector.

South Africa has a lot to teach the world in this regard. An important point for operators is that as countries gradually integrate renewables into there energy systems the appropriate reskilling is to be implemented, which, of course, must have supportive educational resources. As operators we are fully aware of the need to have appropriate programmes to reskill people.

"We need to have a dialogue with government, municipalities and international institutions as this is a global matter. The important thing is not to remain stubbornly entrenched in technologies that will inevitably fail in the long term, but to all pull together towards a just energy transition for all which will contribute to the long-term regional prosperity," he says.