South Africa’s shift towards a greener future is set to generate more than 25 000 jobs by the end of the decade, following the Cabinet’s approval of the South African Renewable Energy Master Plan (Sarem).
Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa hailed the plan as a “pathway to a more sustainable and equitable future for all South Africans”, highlighting its potential to unlock new economic opportunities while transitioning the country to cleaner energy sources.
The plan lays out a framework to accelerate the roll-out of renewable energy projects, aiming for 3 – 5 gigawatts of new capacity annually. This acceleration is designed to stimulate local manufacturing of components such as solar panels, inverters, wind turbine towers, cables, and batteries.
The department intends to establish industrial hubs and Special Economic Zones focused on renewable energy, ensuring that the benefits of green energy extend across communities and regions.
This localisation strategy is directly tied to the creation of thousands of jobs, with the energy sector becoming a major driver of employment and economic revival.
Sarem also forms part of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, which seeks to move away from carbon-intensive energy while ensuring social inclusion and skills development.
The department plans to host the South African Renewable Energy Expo later this year to showcase the industrial potential of the sector and attract investors.
“The approval of this plan is a testament to the collective efforts of government, industry stakeholders, and civil society. We must all work together to ensure its successful implementation," said Ramokgopa.