ENERTRAG South Africa's commitment to societal development and sustainable energy transition
ENERTRAG South Africa recognizes the importance of engaging with stakeholders in the Mpumalanga Province—including civil society, the business community, and government—to contribute towards an energy mix that is best for South Africa.
In support of this mission, ENERTRAG South Africa has come on board as a sponsor and participant of phase two of the wind industry’s experiential renewable energy conversation across local schools in Mpumalanga through its energyDRIVE initiative. On Monday, 22 July, key energy stakeholders, local government representatives, and other partners joined to launch this initiative aimed at educating and engaging young minds.
“Ensuring an equitable energy transition requires active engagement, education, and informing all parties about the benefits of adopting clean, renewable energy. To this end, we are committed to fostering this inclusive dialogue to support the nation’s shift towards a sustainable energy future,” announced Mercia Grimbeek, Head of Project Development for ENERTRAG South Africa.
During the course of the two weeks, the energyDRIVE will visit over 10,000 school learners across five different communities, who will benefit from experiential learning on various renewable energy technologies.
“The support and sponsorship from industry leaders like ENERTRAG South Africa is crucial to the success of the energyDRIVE, one of our flagship education and awareness initiatives. These contributions help ensure that the initiative has the necessary resources to continue educating South Africa’s youth, raising awareness about renewable energy, and promoting sustainable practices,” commented Morongoa Ramaboa, Chief Communications Officer at the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA).
As a vanguard in the Mpumalanga Province, ENERTRAG South Africa had the foresight to invest in essential research and development as early as 2017. By installing meteorological measurement masts at various locations to gather wind data, the company actively assessed wind resource potential. Convinced of the business case, ENERTRAG South Africa pursued the development of renewable energy projects with the intention to take them into construction and operation.
"As a dedicated industry stakeholder in this region, we are committed to supporting and contributing to socio-economic development. Hence, by supporting SAWEA and other collaborators, we are able to nurture an informed and engaged community essential for the transition to a sustainable energy future through innovative solutions," concluded Grimbeek.