SAWEA

Q1 Standing Committees | Collective Insight. Shared Purpose. SAWEA has concluded a strong round of Q1 engagements across the wind energy value chain. Discussions spanned: • Market Development • Project Development • Project Implementation • Asset Management • Social Impact Behind every megawatt is collaboration, rigour & aligned industry dialogue. Thank you to all members who contributed to strengthening SA’s wind sector. #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy #StandingCommittees

The National Transmission Company South Africa (#NTCSA) has confirmed that the launch of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) will shift from the initial April 2026 target to the third quarter of 2026. The revised timeline follows a joint assessment with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (@NERSA_ZA) and industry stakeholders, highlighting the need for additional work to ensure full market, operational, and regulatory readiness. To read more, visit: engineeringnews.co.za/article/launch… #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy #IndustryNews

Wind Systems | A stable project pipeline strengthens local industry. Consistent renewable energy procurement gives suppliers, technicians, and manufacturers the confidence to invest in skills, infrastructure, and local capacity. Stop–start procurement cycles create uncertainty and make it harder for businesses to scale and retain talent. 
How does a stable project pipeline influence investment and supply chain growth in South Africa’s wind sector? #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy #NewsMember

New Member Announcement | Innovation Expand SAWEA expands its membership with Innovation Expand as a A4 Corporate Member. Their expertise in substation design, power system analysis, protection, and bankability strengthens grid performance and long-term project sustainability. Explore SAWEA membership: sawea.org.za/become-member #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #NewMember

@Vestas Secures 230MW Turbine Order in Brazil Vestas has secured a 230MW turbine supply order from @Equinor and Rio Energy for the Esquina do Vento Wind Project in Brazil. The project, located in Rio Grande do Norte, will see Vestas deliver 51 V163-4.5 MW turbines, alongside a long-term Active Output Management (AOM 5000) service agreement. Installation is expected to begin in 2027, with full commissioning targeted within the same year. Beyond supply, the project reflects Vestas’ fully integrated development model - from project development through to long-term operations and maintenance - reinforcing its role as a full-scope partner in global wind energy delivery. Once operational, the wind farm is expected to generate electricity equivalent to powering approximately 520,000 homes, contributing to Brazil’s energy security and clean energy targets. This announcement underscores continued investment momentum in mature wind markets, and highlights the importance of technology, scale, and lifecycle service capabilities in delivering bankable, high-performance projects. To read more, click on the link below: vestas.com/en/media/compa… #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy #MemberNews

Turbine Talks: Forecasting the Wind from Atmosphere to Grid – Part 2 As we conclude the first edition of Turbine Talks for 2026, SAWEA continues to bring the sector together to explore the journey from atmosphere to grid - connecting the science of forecasting with the operational realities of integration. Yesterday, our opening session unpacked the meteorological foundations of forecasting, from weather modelling and advances in accuracy to WASA’s latest developments in resource mapping and long-term modelling. ⚡ Now, the conversation shifts to the grid. Join us for Part 2: From Forecast to Dispatch – Grid Integration, Risk and Market Readiness, where we explore how wind forecasts are translated into real-time system operations and decision-making. 🎙️ Hear from industry experts: • Paul Davel – Chief Engineer, #NTCSA • Nkele Mabusela – Senior Engineer: Project Design & Costing, #Cennergi • Jes Smed – Chief Advisor: System Integration of Renewable Energy, #DanishEnergyAgency 📅 Thursday, 26 March 2026 🕙 10:00 – 11:30 SAST 💻 Online via Microsoft Team Be part of the conversation as we move from forecast to dispatch - and examine what it takes to enable a reliable, responsive, and market-ready wind energy system. If you haven’t registered yet, it’s not too late to join the series - registration remains open following Part 1. 🔗 Register here: sawea.glueup.com/event/turbine-… #TurbineTalks #WindEnergy #EnergyTransition #GridIntegration #RenewableEnergy #SAWEA

Richards Bay is fast emerging as a strategic energy hub - and the scale is significant. Nearly 6GW of new IPP capacity has been approved, alongside major investment into gas infrastructure and an 800MW offshore wind project. This marks a clear shift toward integrated, large-scale energy planning in South Africa. At its core, the message is simple: energy security = economic growth. With demand in KZN already exceeding supply, these developments are not optional - they are necessary to unlock industrial expansion, stabilise the grid, and enable long-term investment. But execution will be the differentiator. Infrastructure readiness, coordinated delivery, and strong public-private partnerships will determine whether this pipeline translates into real impact. This is not just about capacity. It’s about building a resilient, investment-ready energy system. To read more from this article by Green Building Africa, click on the link below: greenbuildingafrica.co.za/richards-bay-t… #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy #IndustryNews

From insight to action | Asset Management in Focus Following the SAWEA Asset Managers Forum (11 March), key industry insights now move into action at tomorrow’s Asset Management Standing Committee. The forum reflected on the REIPPPP journey - from early development to today’s operational fleet - and created space for asset managers, OEMs, and service providers to engage on: • performance optimisation 
• lifecycle management 
• maintaining reliability at scale These insights now feed directly into the work of the Asset Management Standing Committee, meeting tomorrow. 🗓 24 March 
🕐 13h00–15h00 
📍 Hybrid: @CSIR (Pretoria) | Greenstreet (Cape Town) Featuring: Logan Reddy (@Eskom_SA): A SAAMA Council Member since 2017, Reddy brings deep technical and strategic expertise in asset management. As a Mechanical Engineering, MBA graduate, and a Certified Senior Principal in Asset Management, he plays a key role in advancing industry standards. His contributions to the ISO 55000 Asset Management framework, including participation in its finalisation in Calgary, position him at the forefront of global best practice. Through his leadership of SAAMA’s collaboration portfolio, he continues to drive awareness and capability-building across the sector. And Gillian Niven (@FaskenLaw): With over 15 years’ experience as a regulatory lawyer, Niven specialises in environmental law, ESG, and sustainability. Her advisory work spans the energy, mining, oil & gas, nuclear, and industrial sectors. Having served as legal counsel within both a JSE-listed gas company and a renewable energy business, she brings a practical, in-market perspective on regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and commercial structuring - all critical to asset lifecycle sustainability. Driving reliability, performance & long-term value across SA’s wind fleet. 🔗 sawea.org.za/standing-commi… #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy #EnergySecurity #PowerSystemStability #GenerationRecovery #GridReliability

🇿🇦 Human Rights Day | 21 March 2026 Today, South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day, honouring the lives lost during the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, when 69 people were killed for peacefully protesting apartheid pass laws. This day serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom, dignity, and equality, and of the responsibility we all share to uphold the rights enshrined in our Constitution. As we reflect on the progress of our democracy, we are also called to continue building a society where every person can access opportunity, safety, and a future rooted in justice. We recognise that the renewable energy transition must be people-centred, supporting communities, advancing inclusion, and ensuring that development and human rights move forward together. ✨ Human rights are not only history, they are a promise we renew every day. #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy #HumanRightsDay #Sharpeville #SAWEA #DignityEqualityFreedom

Turbine Talks | Part One Understanding the Wind Join us as we kick off the first edition of our 2026 Turbine Talks webinar series, focusing on measurement, modelling and resource certainty - critical conversations as projects move from planning into execution. Hear from leading experts shaping the future of wind forecasting and resource mapping: 👤 Dr Mary-Jane Bopape – Distinguished Professor, University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika 👤 Dr Greg Poulos – VP: Global Renewables Technical Advisory, Bureau Veritas 👤 Thembekile Marivate – Regional Leader: Renewable Technical Advisory, Bureau Veritas 👤 Dr Karen Surridge – Project Manager: RE & Cleaner Fossil Fuels, Sanedi.org 👤 Jan-Hendrik Grobler – Senior Researcher, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) 📅 24 March 2026 🕙 10h00 – 11h30 (SAST) 💻 Online: Microsoft Teams This session will unpack forecasting fundamentals, explore advancements in modelling accuracy, and highlight the role of long-term wind resource mapping in strengthening project certainty. 👉 Register now: sawea.glueup.com/event/turbine-… #WindEnergy #RenewableEnergy #TurbineTalks #SAWEA

Wind Systems | Forecasting is key to integrating wind energy into modern power systems. Accurate forecasting helps grid operators anticipate changes in wind generation, balance supply and demand, and maintain grid reliability. Advances in meteorology and data analytics are improving day-ahead and short-term predictions - enabling higher levels of renewable energy integration. This topic will be explored further during SAWEA’s upcoming Turbine Talks webinar series: Forecasting the Wind - From Atmosphere to Grid. 📅 24 March 2026
 📅 26 March 2026 The sessions will bring together experts from across the wind energy value chain to unpack the science and operational realities behind wind forecasting in South Africa’s evolving energy market. 🔗 Register here: 
sawea.glueup.com/event/turbine-… How is forecasting shaping operational planning across South Africa’s wind sector? #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy

2026: The Year of Implementation Following a year focused on grid constraints and solutions, 2026 marks the Year of Implementation for the wind energy sector. The emphasis now shifts to delivery – advancing projects into construction, strengthening system readiness, and ensuring that policy, planning, and investment translate into measurable outcomes. For the sector, this is a critical phase: one that requires alignment across stakeholders, sustained momentum, and a shared commitment to execution. SAWEA, together with its members and partners, will continue to support implementation that is coordinated, practical, and responsive to South Africa’s energy priorities. The success of the energy transition will be defined by progress on the ground. Partner with SAWEA to drive coordinated, sector-wide implementation. #YearOfImplementation #WindEnergy #EnergyTransition #SAWEA #RenewableEnergy #PoweringSouthAfrica

Towards a renewable future in SA and beyond South Africa’s energy transition is accelerating as the country navigates the intersecting challenges of energy security, economic resilience and climate commitments. With world-class wind and solar resources, growing private-sector investment and emerging opportunities in green hydrogen, the renewable energy sector is increasingly central to the country’s long-term electricity strategy. In this article, RS Group examines the evolving state of South Africa’s renewable energy landscape, from the progress enabled by the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) to the infrastructure, policy and investment considerations that will shape the next phase of growth. The piece explores both the opportunities and the structural challenges facing the sector, including grid constraints, financing requirements and the importance of coordinated action across government, industry and the private sector to enable a resilient and future-ready power system. To read more, visit: it-online.co.za/2026/03/12/tow… #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy #IndustryNews

@Goldwind_Global bags 242MW turbine order SAWEA member Goldwind has secured a turbine supply agreement for the Overberg Wind Farm, a major new wind energy project being developed by independent power producer Red Rocket in the Western Cape. Under the agreement, Goldwind will supply 39 units of its 6.2 MW medium-speed permanent magnet (MSPM) turbines, contributing 242 MW to the project’s total planned capacity of 380 MW. Located near Swellendam, the Overberg Wind Farm is being developed in two phases and, once fully commissioned, is expected to become South Africa’s largest privately developed single wind farm, delivering significant clean energy capacity to support the country’s energy transition. To read more, visit: renews.biz/99401/goldwind… #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy #MemberNews

Reminder | Project Implementation Standing Committee 🗓 Tomorrow, 17 March 2026 📍 In person: • Johannesburg – SAWEA Offices • Cape Town – SWIRE Renewables Offices 💻 Hybrid attendance available The session will explore real-world implementation challenges across the wind energy value chain, from EPC risks to logistics and regulatory pathways. 🎤 External speaker: Theo Fischer (EScience Associates) sharing insights on energy resource assessment and storage. When implementation improves, the sector advances. Learn more about SAWEA membership: sawea.org.za/become-member #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy #ProjectImplementation

Wind Systems | Transmission infrastructure shapes where wind projects can be built. Even where wind resources are strong, projects can only move forward if there is grid capacity to deliver electricity to demand centres. Expanding transmission will be key to unlocking new wind resource areas and integrating more renewable energy into the system. 💬 Industry question: 
What transmission challenges are currently shaping where new wind projects can realistically be built in South Africa? #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy

Save the Date | #Windaba2026 Windaba Conference & Exhibition returns 6–8 Oct 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. South Africa’s flagship wind energy platform, where policy meets projects & capital meets capacity. ✔ Decision-maker access ✔ Business development ✔ Strategic networking ✔ Market intelligence ✔ Targeted brand visibility Position your organisation at the forefront of industry momentum. Follow SAWEA for updates. Early engagement encouraged. #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy #Windaba2026

Thank you for your support. Empowering women in the renewable energy sector is key to strengthening the industry and addressing critical skills gaps. Initiatives like the MDP aim to build leadership capacity and create pathways for women to progress into senior roles. Continued support through mentorship, skills development, industry collaboration, and encouraging more women to apply for programmes like this all play an important role in advancing the movement. We appreciate your engagement in helping drive this conversation forward.

@_sawea It's inspiring to see initiatives like MDP focusing on women's roles in renewable energy. Empowering women is the key to closing skills gaps. How can we further support this movement? 🌍

SAWEA Initiatives | Closing the Skills Gap in Renewable Energy The Management Development Programme for Women in Renewable Energy (MDP), designed by Wits Business School and led by South African Wind Energy Association, addresses critical skills gaps across the renewable-energy value chain. The programme blends leadership development, renewable-energy business models, design thinking, and organisational performance, building a pipeline of women leaders ready for a dynamic electricity market. Skills today. Leadership tomorrow. Sector resilience for the long term. Discover how the MDP is strengthening skills and sector readiness: 🔗 sawea.org.za/management-dev… #SAWEA #LeadingWithWind #WindEnergyAdvocacy

Four new board members elected at South African Wind Energy Association @_sawea 2026 AGM. #windenergy #southafrica #boardmembers #agm #ipp #epc greenbuildingafrica.co.za/south-african-…