Renewable energy is quietly changing the face of rural South Africa, and that is only the tip of the iceberg. In the Northern and Eastern Cape, solar and wind farms are not only supplying much-needed energy into the national grid, but they are also supplying life, opportunity, and hope into rural areas that have been left behind.
The Khi Solar One Plant is a 50-megawatt concentrated solar thermal power station situated near Upington, Northern Cape. This power station has thousands of mirrors that collect the sun’s rays and direct them towards a tower for the collection of energy for the generation of electricity even after sundown.
On the same topic, the general manager of Khi Solar One, Kurt Drewes, stated that the power station sells the generated electricity to Eskom, which helps the country shift towards green energy.
In the Eastern Cape, the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm is making a difference for local residents. Mark Pickering, general manager of the wind farm, explained that before construction, jobs were scarce.
“Our development programme will impact communities in Humansdorp, Hankey and Patensie, with a particular focus on education, health, and women,” Pickering said.
Dr Anne Moyo, energy systems analyst, noted that both projects form part of the national Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), which seeks to balance energy development with social impact.
“Renewables aren’t just about electricity,” said Moyo. “They bring jobs, skills, and opportunities to areas that have been left behind. It’s exciting to see young people dreaming about careers in energy. Renewables give them hope and a reason to stay and build here, at home.”
For those who wish to join the renewable energy bandwagon, the good news is that there is assistance available to do so. The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic) has funding incentives and development programs to assist businesses in their development and new opportunities.
There are mentorship programs available through the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and funding opportunities through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) for business ideas in the energy and manufacturing sectors. Entrepreneurs must look out for opportunities in the procurement of goods and services related to the REIPPPP program and develop relations with local government and developers.
