SANEDI > Applied Energy Research > Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

About Us

South Africa is demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future growth path by supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, together with skills development and job creation through fostering a green economy. South Africa is among the highest emitters of carbon dioxide in the world, currently ranked 12th in terms of top emitters per capita, since more than 75% of primary our energy requirement is derived from fossil fuels.

The country responded to the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel dependency, diversify the energy mix and supply and reducing the country’s carbon footprint with a supportive policy and legislative framework to exploit the excellent local renewable energy resources, especially wind and solar.

Our Vision

To facilitate renewable energy research coordination, collaboration and dissemination of national and international renewable energy knowledge contributing towards a sustainable low carbon energy future.

Our Mission

To be recognised as the foremost institution for renewable energy research coordination and collaboration in SA.

Renewables

Renewables within SANEDI

SANEDI is a Schedule 3A Public Entity as of 31 December 2010, operationalised on 1 April 2011. Its mandate is to serve as a catalyst for sustainable energy innovation, transformation and technology diffusion in support of South Africa’s sustainable development. RECORD supports the mandate of SANEDI within the Clean Energy Solutions portfolio.

South Africa’s leading position has been secured through a supportive policy environment, coupled with a secure investment framework established by the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme or REIPPPP.

South Africa’s renewable energy sector experienced explosive growth in the past few years with investment of more than $200 billion to date. This rapid investment in sector growth over the past years has made South Africa the ninth-leading destination for clean energy investment among the Group of 20 (G-20) of the world’s developed and emerging economies.

The contribution of a green economy to economic growth and job creation is furthermore promising and South Africa is preparing to play a leading role in renewable energy deployment.

South Africa has abundant natural and renewable energy (RE) resources that can be harnessed for energy production:

A reasonable wind energy resource (an average of 8 m/s measured at 80 m) is available in geographically dispersed locations, allowing for security of supply;

A world-class wave energy (10 – 50 kW/m crest length) and ocean current (70 – 85 Sv peaking at 2 m/s) resource, is potentially exploitable upon the availability of commercially viable technologies.

One of the best solar regimes in the world, measured at 4.5 to 6.6 kWh/m2 , one of the most abundant renewable energy resources in the country;

Despite limited water availability, 1400 MW of pump storage is currently utilised by Eskom from two sites in South Africa, while micro-hydro applications at specific sites offer further opportunities;

Biomass for energy use is restricted due to water availability in South Africa, but energy from waste, utilising the estimated 60 – 70 million m3 of waste generated annually, is more readily available and exploitable;

Our Centers

One of SANEDI’s roles is to facilitate and co-ordinate renewable energy research, development and demonstration through international co-operation and information exchange, leading to the deployment and commercialization of sustainable, efficient, reliable, cost-competitive and environmentally sound renewable energy technologies.

Renewables @SANEDI

SANEDI therefore seeks to make optimal use of local resources that diversify energy production and create an environmentally sound energy sector. The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and the Wind Atlas of South Africa (WASA) are examples of international collaboration.