In line with the Just Energy Transition agenda, to maintain economic growth, sustainability and job creation in the surrounding areas that have been dependent to the coal fired power stations, Eskom chief executive officer, Andre de Ruyter visited the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) on the Bellville campus recently.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo welcomed De Ruyter and Eskom’s General Manager, Mandy Rambharos. Earlier this year, SARETEC, Director, Mokgadi Modise and Acting SARETEC Operations Manager, Hendrick Volschenk had conducted a site visit at the Komati Power Station on 22 April 2022 from which the Eskom team had to also conduct a similar site inspection of the SARETEC on 13 May 2022.

De Ruyter said the visit followed several engagements between Eskom, the SARETEC and the South African Wind Association (SAWEA) on renewable energy options in line with the Just Energy Transition agenda.  De Ruyter said: “Among others is to maintain economic growth, sustainability and job creation in the surrounding areas that have been dependent to the coal fired power stations following the decommissioning phase. Among others, training in the form of reskilling and upskilling of the Eskom workforce, surrounding communities has remained part of the primary objective is to find balance between the decommissioning and just transition phases.”

He shared Eskom’s plan to repurpose the coal fired powered stations for good use while emphasising that the collective has a social responsibility to maintain an enabling environment for economic growth in those areas where the power plants are located to prevent any possibility of creating ghost towns following the decommissioning phase.  De Ruyter said because of SARETEC’s accreditation, institutional capacity it has built over the years and existing skills is better placed to support Eskom and therefore there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

Nhlapo affirmed that CPUT need to increase/ramp-up the marketing of SARETEC as “It is still the best-kept secret to some key and critical stakeholders”. “However, the visit was extremely successful,” Nhlapo said. Reflecting on the potential partnership, the Vice-Chancellor said: “It means that CPUT is going to formally sign a MoA [Memorandum of Agreement] with Eskom. The agreement between the tripartite, SARETEC, South African Wind Energy Association and Eskom on the establishment of Eskom Training Centre as part of the Just Energy Transition which will benefit both the faculty and the institution.”

He said the initiative is mutually beneficial to all the parties. “At a very high-level it is also an opportunity for CPUT as per the Higher Education Act to respond to the needs of the Republic and of the communities we served by contributing to [address] the energy challenges faced by the country.”

Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho expressed the positive effect that could also be drawn from other areas that the University had partnered with other institutions of higher learning in the field of research in addition to the renewable energy.

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Prof Marshall Sheldon said the purpose of the visit was to provide the Eskom delegation an opportunity to tour the National Renewable Energy facility. Sheldon shared with Eskom representatives that additional structures are in place such as the SARETEC Management Committee and the Governance Board that provide support and ensure that SARETEC deliver on its commitments.

Sheldon stated that the Faculty’s Vision 2030 is to be a leading faculty in Engineering and the Built Environment that advances knowledge through Science, Technology, and Innovation for the benefit of society. “The mission is to be a self-sustaining faculty that is responsive and relevant; environmentally conscious; renowned for its innovation in teaching and learning, research, and technological development; and produces graduates that contribute to society,” Sheldon continued.

“This potential partnership between SARETEC and Eskom will contribute to the Faculty’s vision and mission in that that outcome will positively impact on the society, communities, the economy and the environment.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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Toni Beukes is ‘privileged’ to serve at the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) following her recent appointment as a new member of their Governance Board. 

Beukes joins SARETEC with 12 years’ experience in the energy sector across oil, gas, and renewable energy (specifically wind). The Windhoek-born mainly held roles in legal, governance, compliance, and consulting. Since leaving private practice, Beukes spent a vast part of her professional career as in-house legal counsel for the national oil company of Namibia (NAMCOR). She later moved to South Africa and joined Mondi.

Her specific role on the Board is that of an industry representative.  “This role involves bringing to bear industry knowledge, trends, and current market developments to Board deliberations. This should aid strategy development that is reflective of the market movement ensuring SARETEC stays relevant,” she explains.

Her renewable energy experience also stems from her work under the South African Renewable Energy IPP Programme. From 2013 she worked then by wind turbine manufacturer Nordex Acciona as Legal Advisor/Contracts Manager. Beukes, a middle child of five daughters with very politically active parents, also worked as a Legal Consultant to German-owned wind farm developer, ENERTRAG.

She’s currently based in Cape Town and serves as GE's Renewable Energy Sales Leader for Southern Africa in onshore wind. Her experience includes legal consultancy, contracts management, B-BBEE strategy development and implementation, company secretarial practice, conveyancing, compliance, trust, and board administration. She is an admitted attorney in the High Court of Namibia, holding B.Juris and LL.B degrees, and MBA and LL.M degrees (with distinction) from the University of Dundee in Scotland. The qualified Conveyancer also served as Chairperson of the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) Economic Development Working Group from 2018 to 2019.

“In addition to my role as an industry representative, I also bring strong governance experience as a Certified Director of the Institute of Directors South Africa, and accordingly [I] hope to contribute to the Board achieving its governance outcomes,” Beukes adds.  She also serves as Non-Executive Director on the SAWEA and the SARETEC boards. She is also an Independent Trustee on the Cookhouse Wind Farm Community Trust, as well as the Kathu Solar Community Trust.

Beukes has recently been selected as one of 15 female Mentors of the Women in Wind Global Leadership Program 2020 under the Global Wind Energy Council.  “Reacting to her appointment as a new board member at SARETEC, she says: “I feel privileged to serve. My CV sets out other boards/trusts I’ve been involved with in the past”

Giving advice to young women, she says: “I think the trajectory of our lives is largely determined by how quickly we figure out what we stand for.”

Her parents gave her and her siblings a great education and instilled clear solid values.  “They taught us responsibility for the collective which meant that sometimes we have to act in the interest of the collective good, and not our limited individual self-interest. My parents taught us to have the courage of our convictions. Her dad also used to say, “A Beukes takes the bullet between the eyes”. “That simply meant speaking up against wrongdoing even when it’s not comfortable or convenient to do so,” she explains. 

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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