The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) has opened applications for the 2025 Wind Industry Internship Programme (WIIP).
The initiative supports South Africa’s goal of achieving a low carbon economy and a climate-resilient society through creating quality jobs, aligning with South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP), and the South African Renewable Energy Master Plan (SAREM).
Applications opened on 24 October 2024 and close on 14 November 2024.
With youth unemployment in South Africa at 46,6% among individuals aged 15 to 34, according to StatsSA’s Q2: 2024 Quarterly Labour Force Survey, this initiative addresses a critical need for practical experience in the renewable energy sector.
In the first quarter of 2024, wind technology accounted for 4,9% of South Africa’s total electricity consumption, compared to Q3 2024 where wind provided 5,3% of the country’s total electricity consumption. This indicates wind energy’s increasing contribution to the energy mix.
There is currently an additional 2,2GW of wind projects currently in construction which will position wind to provide over 10% of the country’s installed capacity, thus maintaining wind energy’s significant and leading renewable energy technology role in South Africa’s energy mix.
The WIIP offers an opportunity for young graduates to bridge the gap between graduation and employment.