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The Eastern Cape Provincial Government, led by Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane, recently hosted a high-level meeting with the German Special Envoy to South Africa for the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), Dr Rainer Baake.
Baake is tasked with campaigning globally for sustainable and favourable energy generation.
The high-level meeting took place at the East London International Convention Centre on April 12.
The discussions centred on enhancing the province’s renewable energy capacity, and cementing its position as a hub for the country’s green energy transition.
During the meeting Mabuyane and Baake highlighted the strong historical ties between South Africa and Germany, particularly the long-standing investments by German automakers, such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, in the Eastern Cape.
The premier emphasised the province’s vast potential for renewable energy, particularly wind and solar power, and its strategic geographical location, which makes it a prime area for clean energy generation.
“The Eastern Cape has been at the forefront of renewable energy development in South Africa, with over R36 billion invested in wind farms that are currently generating power. We are committed to further strengthening our renewable energy capacity and playing a significant role in the country’s just energy transition,” said Mabuyane.
Baake praised the Eastern Cape’s leading role in renewable energy expansion, and acknowledged the province’s excellent solar and wind conditions, which can help offset some of the financial challenges faced by the sector.
He emphasised the importance of a just transition that prioritises economic development and job creation in affected regions.
Baake also confirmed availability of funding with low interest rates to support JET initiatives.
He further urged the Eastern Cape to take urgent steps, working in conjunction with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German development agency which implements various projects in the Eastern Cape, Eskom, and the National Treasury, to access these funds earmarked for renewable energy initiatives under the JETP.
“The transformation to a low-carbon economy is not only about climate change, but also about economic development, creating growth, and ensuring a decent life for the people. The Eastern Cape’s renewable energy potential presents an excellent opportunity for this just transition, and we are committed to supporting the province in this endeavour,” he said.
The meeting also touched on the ongoing challenges of loadshedding, and the need to expand the national grid to integrate the growing renewable energy sources.
Mabuyane and Baake agreed that close collaboration between the Eastern Cape, national government, and international partners like Germany, will be crucial in addressing challenges and unlocking the province’s full renewable energy potential.
The two expressed their commitment to further strengthening the partnership and exploring opportunities in areas such as green hydrogen and sustainable transportation, as the global economy continues its transition towards a decarbonised future.
