Session - Local content in South African wind and power sector

Developing the technology base and capacity to add local content and value is crucial if renewable energy deployment in Africa is to create jobs and promote economic development and global competitiveness. IRENA, along with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP), will host a session on the challenges in developing local content in the African wind power sector during the South African Wind Energy Association’s WINDABA 2012 (22 – 24 October 2012) in Cape Town. IRENA, as part of its 2012 work programme, carried out a general study on the potential for local renewable energy equipment manufacturing in Africa. The document was discussed with various stakeholders, including the private sector, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and RECP, which is part of the EU Energy Initiative Partnership Dialogue Facility. The study highlighted an urgent need to address Africa’s low capacity for local content and value addition in the technology deployment chain for renewable energy. The session at WINDABA 2012 will address key issues on local content in the context of South Africa in particular and Africa at large. The discussions will provide a framework for continued partnerships on the local content issue in 2013 and will help IRENA and its partners to identify and develop strategies for boosting local content in various renewable technologies in Africa.