– 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 fostering wider industrial development.

This initiative aims to tackle issues related to local capabilities, infrastructure development, and funding by offering a guide for advancing renewable energy sources and battery storage solutions. It also outlines a straightforward route for potential investors looking to support power ventures since South Africa’s electricity consumption is projected to double by 2040.

The forthcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 — scheduled from September 29 to October 3 — will explore how the SAREM influences the nation’s energy landscape. This gathering aims to bring together leaders from African governments and policy-making bodies alongside industry players and financiers, all working towards boosting investments in Africa’s energy sector, aligning these efforts with objectives aimed at eradicating energy poverty globally.

AEW: Invest in African Energies stands out as the premier platform for project developers, investors, technological suppliers, and governmental entities. It has become the definitive location where significant agreements in the African energy sector are finalized. Consider visiting.
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For additional details regarding this thrilling occasion.

South Africa aims for significant expansion within its renewable energy sector, working diligently to enhance grid stability via substantial financial commitments towards both power generation and transmission facilities. Guided by initiatives like the updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which was refreshed in 2023, South Africa plans to add approximately 29.5 gigawatts of new capacity by the year 2030. This includes an anticipated contribution of 14.4 gigawatts from wind sources alongside another 6 gigawatts stemming from solar technology. In their most recent solicitation phase under the IRP framework, authorities have set goals aimed at acquiring up to 6.8 gigawatts of clean energy resources, along with allocations targeting 3 gigawatts each for natural gas projects and coal developments respectively.

To achieve these objectives, the SAREM seeks to capitalize on increasing demand for renewable energy and storage solutions, particularly focusing on solar power, wind energy, lithium-ion batteries, and vanadium-based batteries, as drivers of industrial growth within South Africa. This strategic plan hinges on four key pillars: enhancing local consumption of renewables and storage through improved systemic preparedness; promoting industrial expansion by establishing robust supply chains for both green energy sources and battery storage systems; encouraging broad-based progress by transforming the sector inclusively; and cultivating domestic expertise in skill-building and technology advancement.

The SAREM is anticipated to boost the rapidly expanding 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 at present, with North Africa and South Africa accounting for 80% of this total. Additionally, South Africa stands out as one of several nations at the forefront of nuclear-powered electricity production.

SAREM will foster development by promoting collaborations throughout the entire supply chain, executing focused education initiatives, and tackling issues related to regulatory hurdles. Although SAREM offers substantial advantages for the renewable energy sector, the Cabinet has instructed further efforts on refining the blueprint to motivate investors to finance these ventures.

This encompasses the creation of green hydrogen to fulfill the international commitments for blending 5% fuel in both aviation and maritime industries by 2030.

At AEW: Investing in African Energies 2025, a series of tracks will delve into how initiatives like the SAREM policy will influence Africa’s energy sector. An exclusive Energy Transformation forum will examine Africa’s tactics for facilitating an equitable shift towards sustainable practices. Key areas under scrutiny include Ensuring Energy Security Across Africa; Enhancing Local Economic Benefits; Expanding Renewable Energy Deployment; plus numerous additional subjects.

At the Powering Africa event, sessions will tackle key issues and prospects related to Africa’s electrical sector. In particular, for South African participants, panel talks focusing on Closing the Electrical Deficit; Enhancing Energy Efficiency; Bolstering 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 delve into the nation’s energy sector, covering the progress of oil and gas initiatives along with the rollout of large-scale renewable energy programs.

Ranging from green hydrogen utilization to battery storage systems, as well as solar, wind, and natural gas, the spotlight will examine how an interconnected blend of energies will shape the nation’s energy prospects.