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EWSETA and CSIR Collaborate to Renewable Energy Sector
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It is expected that the EISP will also drive the use of the developed intellectual property (IP), through the commercialisation of identified technologies that are relevant and that will bring solutions to the current social challenges.
The EWSETA (Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority) and the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) recently entered into a funding agreement with a value of just over R9m, over the 5-year period, to launch the Energy Industry Support Programme (EISP). The Programme launch event was held on 17 November 2022 at CSIR International Convention Centre and was attended by SMMEs and other programme stakeholders. The EISP will equip 75 SMMEs with the relevant skills and knowledge, technology know-how and necessary resources to participate in the demanding energy sector, as well as encourage innovation and empower innovators to contribute to the country’s economic development through the energy sector.
. Mpho Mookapele, chief executive officer of the EWSETA said, “We are honoured to partner in such an impact-driven capacitation programme that will provide the much-needed skills and support in the energy sector and drive inclusive economic participation of SMEs in the energy value chain. The Programme will also provide an opportunity to empower women and persons living with disabilities, to realise our inclusion objectives”. However, the current challenges many SMMEs face when entering the energy industry, are inadequate skills and support (predominantly renewable technologies) and the EISP will seek to address these challenges.
Bernard Magoro, head of the Independent Power Producers Office, a procurement vehicle for delivering on the national renewable energy capacity-building objectives, said, “This exciting EWSETA/CSIR initiative, aimed at developing SMMEs to participate in our country’s energy transition, is timely and welcomed. It was wonderful to see so many SMMEs in attendance today and to see first-hand the benefits of this new initiative, one that the IPP Office would be proud to partner with in the future”. This collaboration between CSIR and EWSETA will undoubtedly have far-reaching effects of providing capacity-building opportunities and access to technical capacity in the renewable energy sector. This will assist South Africa in meeting its commitment to reduce its carbon emissions under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.