Despite the push for renewable energy in South Africa, administrative issues are causing severe headaches for Independent power producers (IPPs).<\/p>\n
With constant load shedding and the global push for more environmentally friendly energy solutions, many IPPs are trying to enter the renewable energy space.<\/p>\n
Although there is high demand for renewable energy, there is a perceived lack of skills in the renewables industry, with little experience in the renewables industry not helping matters.<\/p>\n
Renewable energy developer Enel<\/a> said that there was a shortage of skills in the engineering, maths and technology (STEM) fields in South Africa.<\/p>\n \u201cThe renewable energy industry needs electrical engineers, operations and maintenance managers and mechanical technicians. Skills in manufacturing, assembly and installation are also needed,” the group said.<\/p>\n However, according to Bryan Maytham, Project Lead at Engage Energy and Engineering, the primary issue for renewables in South Africa relates to administrative issues.<\/p>\n Speaking to 702<\/a>, Maytham said that municipalities have no experience in the renewable energy space, and lack the necessary knowledge on how to deal with IPPs.<\/p>\n Maytham said that municipalities are often concerned that using renewable energy from IPPS will result in a loss of revenue.<\/p>\n However, he said this is not the case, and further education on the potential benefits would help improve the adoption of renewable energy.<\/p>\n Moreover, red tape and bureaucracy, such as getting council approval, are halting the implementation of renewable energy in South Africa.<\/p>\n “Red tape, bureaucracy and education are the challenges, not so much from a technical [standpoint].”<\/p>\n IPPs on the horizon\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite Maytham’s concerns, the government recently announced plans to reduce red tape and add further generation capacity in the renewable energy space.<\/p>\n