A delegation of scientists from various institutions in Germany recently visited the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) on the Bellville campus on the eve of its opening.
Led by the Prime Minister of the State of Hesse in Germany, the delegation was taken by Mr Dieter Sommer through a presentation on the renewable energy situation in South Africa and what role SARETEC is going to play. Sommer, a senior adviser at SARETEC, then showed the visitors the new facility.
Construction of the centre started last year as a result of a strategic partnership between Nordex, German International Cooperation (GIZ) and CPUT. The centre will train wind turbine service technicians.
Dr Nawaz Mahomed, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, welcomed the visitors and explained that the renewable energy sector in South Africa is not supported as should be, but said that will hopefully change with the opening of the new centre in May. He said CPUT doesn’t want to be seen as owners of the facility but rather as custodians. “We need to make this an open model which can be replicated at other areas of the country,” he said.
Dr Manfred Dutschke, Skills Development Consultant at Greencape, said they have been seconded in terms of the Bavarian Western Cape Partnership, which supports the project. He said they are looking at skilling and the qualification side of things.
Written by Ilse Fredericks
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