THE South African Cabinet formally approved the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan( SAREM), paving the way for a significant transformation of the country’ s energy landscape. The strategy aimed to enhance energy security while promoting industrial development, with a specific focus on renewable energy capacity and battery storage.
SAREM provided a detailed roadmap to address the nation’ s infrastructure, investment, and energy capacity challenges, particularly as electricity demand was projected to double by 2040.
The plan focused on four key pillars: enhancing system readiness, building clean energy value
|
chains, driving inclusive industry growth, and developing skills and innovation for long-term sustainability.
The approval coincided with updates to the Integrated Resource Plan( IRP) in 2023, which targeted the addition of 29.5 GW of new capacity by 2030, including 14.4 GW from wind and 6 GW from solar.
|
The latest IRP procurement round also included 6.8 GW of renewables, 3 GW of natural gas, and 1.5 GW of coal-fired power.
SAREM was expected to accelerate investment in generation and transmission infrastructure and to capitalise on South Africa’ s interest in solar, wind, lithium-ion, and vanadium battery technologies.
The plan also supported the adoption of green hydrogen and public-private partnerships, aiming to meet international decarbonisation targets such as the five per cent blended fuel requirement in the aviation and maritime sectors by 2030.
The approval of SAREM was expected to strengthen South
|
Africa’ s position as a leader in renewable energy in Africa. At the time, over 500 GW of renewable capacity was in the concept phase across the continent, with South Africa and North Africa accounting for nearly 80 per cent.
The implications of the master plan are anticipated to serve as a focal point during the African Energy Week( AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, which is on Sep 29-Oct 3.
The key agenda items encompass bridging the electricity gap, promoting investment, and advancing a diversified energy mix. A dedicated Country Spotlight session shall scrutinise South Africa’ s energy transition and prospects.
|
|||
Denmark’ s largest solar park |
||||||
|
GREENGO Energy completed its largest solar project to date, which involved commissioning a 60MWp solar park in Urup, Jutland, Denmark.
Now fully connected to the grid and operating at full capacity, the facility marked a significant milestone in the company’ s renewable energy portfolio.
Equipped with advanced tracker solar panels that follow the sun’ s path to maximise energy output, the park was co-located with a wind farm to optimise land use and minimise environmental impact.
It was estimated to generate enough electricity to power approximately 6,500 households.
Jean-Christophe Girouard, Chief Operating Officer of GreenGo Energy, said:“ This project is a testament to our dedication to developing impactful renewable energy solutions.
“ This solar park not only highlights our technical capabilities but also reflects our commitment to sustainability and our confidence in the Danish market and its growth potential.
|
“ As the largest solar park we’ ve developed, built, and commissioned in the country to date, it represents a major milestone in our journey, with more ambitious projects already on the horizon.”
Doral Energy, a firm specialising in renewable energy investment, development,
|
construction, and operations, owned the project.
Yaki Noyman, Chief Executive of Doral Energy, said:“ We are thrilled to see this project come to fruition and make a meaningful contribution to the transition toward clean energy.
“ Collaborating with GreenGo Energy on this remarkable solar
|
park has been a rewarding experience, and we look forward to further advancing sustainable energy together.”
The development underscored both companies’ commitment to supporting Denmark’ s clean energy ambitions through innovative and largescale infrastructure.- @ green
|