South Africa is poised for a major expansion in wind energy. The Draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 outlines an ambitious goal: adding 44.7GW of new wind capacity by 2042. But ambition alone cannot power turbines or maintain transmission networks.
The sector faces a bottleneck that is less visible than financing or equipment: skilled personnel. Without enough trained technicians, engineers, and operations staff, South Africa risks stalling its wind energy transition.
At last year’s Windaba conference, industry leaders highlighted that procurement and construction timelines cannot outpace workforce readiness.
Delays in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) bid windows, particularly BW5 and BW6, have already slowed project execution and created uncertainty among developers.
By contrast, countries like Morocco, Egypt, and Kenya are drawing more investor attention due to clearer procurement frameworks and consistent policy, underscoring the importance of workforce stability in project delivery.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Electricity, Samantha Graham-Maré, reminded delegates that “the energy transition isn’t only about technology and megawatts but about people.” Scaling to 44.7GW will demand hundreds of new engineers, grid specialists, and turbine service technicians, roles the country has not needed in such volume before.
Without intervention, the gap between planned projects and available expertise could leave financial commitments unfulfilled and slow the inflow of both local and foreign investment.
SARETEC, the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre, has emerged as a critical part of the solution. Since 2016, the institution has been training Wind Turbine Service Technicians (WTSTs), blending hands-on technical instruction with classroom learning.
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Graduates leave the program not just certified, but with real-world experience and industry networks that make them immediately employable. Partnerships like SARETEC’s collaboration with Globeleq South Africa Management Services demonstrate the value of structured, industry-aligned training.
As Willie van Niekerk, General Manager at Globeleq, explains, scaling these models is essential to ensure that workforce development keeps pace with procurement.
The conversation at Windaba also turned to offshore wind, a frontier that will require highly specialised skills in floating platforms, subsea cabling, and marine operations.
Offshore wind represents a transformative opportunity for South Africa, but it will depend on preparation now.
Waiting until tenders are issued risks reliance on imported expertise, reducing local benefits and slowing project delivery.
Experts stress that skills development must be coordinated across government, developers, financiers, and training centres. Expanded programmes would not only supply technicians for wind projects but also address broader socio-economic challenges, including South Africa’s high graduate unemployment rate.
Aligning workforce growth with renewable energy ambitions creates a dual benefit: it supports energy transition targets while generating meaningful employment.
Windaba concluded with a clear message: South Africa’s wind energy future depends on investing in people as much as turbines.
Institutions like SARETEC are critical anchors, but industry-wide cooperation is essential. The 44GW target is achievable but only if the country builds the skills pipeline now.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.
