The NBI with support from the Danish Industry and in formal partnership with the Western Cape Government, is piloting a framework for identifying inclusive RE value chain localisation opportunities in the Western Cape. In the initial phase of the project, the NBI mapped the RE value chains components for wind, solar, and battery storage and developed business cases for localisation.
Three key opportunities for localisation in the Western Cape were identified: 1) Solar panel recycling, 2) Li-ion battery recycling, and 3) Li-ion and Vanadium Redox flow battery assembly.
Building on this analysis, SALDRU has conducted a skills mapping and labour market analysis to:
Identify occupations and skills required to unlock opportunities within the RE value chains, linked to these localisation opportunities, and
Engage with private sector RE operators and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges to develop practical recommendations on supporting inclusive access to skilling and employment opportunities for young people.
The project has begun to demonstrate how skills anticipation and planning can be guided by and aligned to emerging opportunities in RE value chains.
A working paper from this research will be made available after the event and a practitioner report will be launched at COP30.
What to expect
The event will explore the insights gained on opportunities for localisation in the RE value chains, the skills challenges and opportunities associated with localisation opportunities, and the implications for positioning the TVET system to ensure such opportunities can be optimised.
The National Business Initiative (NBI) in partnership with the University of Cape Town and Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) are pleased to invite you to a discussion on leveraging local investment in the Renewable Energy (RE) value chains to unlock demand for skills and employment, in support of a Just Energy Transition (JET) in the Western Cape, on Thursday, 31 July 2025 in Cape Town.
Background and Significance:
The NBI with support from the Danish Industry and in formal partnership with the Western Cape Government, is piloting a framework for identifying inclusive RE value chain localisation opportunities in the Western Cape. In the initial phase of the project, the NBI mapped the RE value chains components for wind, solar, and battery storage and developed business cases for localisation.
Three key opportunities for localisation in the Western Cape were identified: 1) Solar panel recycling, 2) Li-ion battery recycling, and 3) Li-ion and Vanadium Redox flow battery assembly.
Building on this analysis, SALDRU has conducted a skills mapping and labour market analysis to:
The project has begun to demonstrate how skills anticipation and planning can be guided by and aligned to emerging opportunities in RE value chains.
A working paper from this research will be made available after the event and a practitioner report will be launched at COP30.
What to expect
The event will explore the insights gained on opportunities for localisation in the RE value chains, the skills challenges and opportunities associated with localisation opportunities, and the implications for positioning the TVET system to ensure such opportunities can be optimised.
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