South Africa is highly dependent on fossil fuel for its power generation, which results in high levels of carbon emissions. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, it is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Geographically, the country is well placed for generating renewable energy with its abundance of natural resources, sun and wind. These alternative energies will provide a diverse mix of cleaner energy to meet the country’s needs while meeting its global emission reduction targets.
Renewable energy engineers work in multidisciplinary teams with engineering technologists and technicians and can consult with geophysicists, geologists and climate change scientists. They work mainly in an office environment and occasionally travel to plant sites to oversee installations or address operational challenges.
Renewable energy engineers need extensive experience and a comprehensive knowledge of electrical engineering and will also benefit from:
Advise on and design power plants and systems
Supervise, control and monitor the operation of electrical generation, transmission and distribution systems
Determine manufacturing methods for electrical systems
Establish control standards and procedures to monitor performance and safety of electrical generating and distribution systems
B.Sc.Eng. in Electrical Engineering at UCT, UKZN and Wits
B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering at SU, UJ and UP
Diploma, Advanced Diploma, M.Tech in Electrical Engineering at CPUT, CUT, DUT, MUT, TUT, UNISA, VUT and WSU
National, provincial and local government.
Construction, production and manufacturing companies.
Renewable and private energy organisations.
Private consultancies.
