The adoption by Cabinet of the South African Renewable Energy Master Plan (SAREM) showcases what can be achieved when stakeholders collaborate to find the best mix of solutions for the country’s energy-secure future, nonprofit industry organisation the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) says.

“We were privileged to have served on the steering committee since the inception of the SAREM process and saw first-hand how everyone pulled in the same direction. As members of the committee, we could represent the solar PV industry in the plan’s development and the news that the plan has now been adopted is truly worth celebrating,” says SAPVIA CEO Dr Rethabile Melamu.

The SAREM is an industrial development plan for the renewable-energy and storage value chains by 2030.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced on March 28 that the plan had now been formally adopted by Cabinet for implementation.

The vision of the SAREM is underpinned by six key objectives. These are to grow the economy by fostering the rollout of renewable-energy and battery storage projects; to expand the industrial capacity in the renewable-energy and storage value chain; to create and sustain decent employment across the value chain; to build the capabilities needed for the industry; to build a transformed industry throughout the value chain; and to contribute to a just transition and support the inclusive shift of South Africa’s electricity supply industry from a centralised, carbon-intensive model to a decentralised, low-carbon structure.

“We congratulate the DMRE, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and all our other partner stakeholders for their part in this success story. But the real work begins now – we need to continue our collective efforts in making this plan a reality,” says Melamu.

The solar PV panel and module value chain have captured the primary attention of policymakers, including in South Africa.

However, localisation opportunities are present in South Africa for major solar PV subsystems as well. These include mounting and tracking structures; inverters; and manufactured inputs into electrical and civil balance of plant, SAPVIA points out.