RES4Africa, SAPVIA signed MoU for Africa’s energy transition
RES4Africa, SAPVIA signed MoU for Africa’s energy transition
A statement by the Communication Manager Renewable Energy Solutions for Africa Foundation (RES4Africa), Antonella Siliotto said the organisation and the South Africa Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen their cooperation in the promotion and implementation of sustainable energy solutions as key catalysts to empower and transform Africa. The agreement aims at strengthening the parties’ engagement in information sharing, consultations, network building and implementation of common initiatives and projects for the continent’s energy transition.
“RES4Africa and SAPVIA share the same vision about the pivotal role that the renewable energy sources play in Africa’s development: for this reason, they will cooperate through joint initiatives and activities on renewable energy, in particular solar photovoltaic and climate change, to support sustainable development for resilient economies in Africa”, the statement said. It added: “Within the framework of this collaboration, the parties will support each other in the organisation and promotion of training and capacity building programmes and in the generation of knowledge products and data by pursuing joint thematic publications and technical studies with a specific focus on South Africa, where SAPVIA is based. The two organisations will also involve each other as strategic partners in the implementation of existing and future initiatives, as well as outreach, advocacy, and communication activities”.
“South Africa is the largest electricity market in Africa, accounting for half of sub-Sahara installed capacity. It goes without saying that this country has the potential to be one of the guiding lights of the entire continent’s just energy transition” says Roberto Vigotti, RES4Africa’s Secretary General “Counting on a partner like SAPVIA in our network is not only a demonstration of the value of our work in South Africa and in the whole continent, but it is also a valuable contribution to our mission: only by pursuing joint efforts we can effectively contribute to Africa’s green transition.”
“SAPVIA’s long term goal is to vigorously mobilise support for the sustainable growth of solar PV in South Africa and this partnership will be a key catalyst to ensure we deliver on our vision,” says Niveshen Govender, SAPVIA COO. “Working together with RES4Africa we will be able to better equip our members to capitalise on the opportunities of a just energy transition through the commissioning and sharing of research, market reports and best practice and help us as we work to ensure that renewables are included and at the forefront of South Africa’s energy policy.”