Eskom, Saretec to establish renewables training facility

Eskom and the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (Saretec) have officially signed the first phase of an agreement to establish a renewable energy training centre at the Komati Power Station in Mpumalanga.

The initiative is anticipated to produce trained artisans and technicians through Saretec’s support over the next 36 months as part of Eskom’s Just Energy Transition (Jet) strategy. It will be managed by Eskom’s Academy of Learning (EAL).

“The objective is to educate, reskill and upskill Eskom Komati Power Station staff and qualifying beneficiaries from the surrounding communities in the Mpumalanga region,” the power utility added in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Komati Power Station is reportedly due for decommissioning this year.

Eskom says the collaboration is in line with Saretec’s vision to ensure there is a pipeline of local skills responding to economic needs and readiness for the utility’s inevitable ‘Just Energy Transition’.

The South African Wind Energy Association (Sawea) will also support the collaboration. “Representing the wind industry, Sawea’s support is in response to a request from Eskom for support and guidance to address skills gaps, and the necessary skill development that will help the energy sector transition,” it stated.

The association believes that if the new training centre is successful, others will be established in other parts of the country where coal fired power plants are earmarked for decommissioning.

Eskom says it has confirmed a pipeline of clean energy projects at various stages of development and recognises that there is a dire lack of skills along the value chain.

Nondumiso Lehutso is a Moneyweb intern.