1. Why is this working group important? Distributed Generation (which includes SSEG, EG, Wheeling Projects, BESS etc) in broad terms is the future solution for energy supply, not only in South Africa where load shedding exists, but also internationally. The reason is that on-site or localised generation (i.e. generation closer to load centres) from alternative and mostly RE resources are fast becoming cheaper than the traditional vertically integrated energy supply systems. Vertical systems also mostly rely on fossil-fuels which has to be transitioned away from in the interest of sustainability.
2. Why should members join this working group? Everyone has a duty to plough back into the industry within which he/she operates. This working group provides the opportunity to members from various backgrounds to become involved and contribute in fields wherein those individuals has expertise and could make a difference. It also creates the opportunity where participants in our industry get to know each other, thereby building your network to be able to share insights and gain insights. One proviso is however that this is a “working group”, not a sitting group, committee or a passenger group. If you don’t contribute and intend to just gain and not share then this group might not be for you.
3. What will the future of the working group look like? The working group would have diversified working streams whereby topical focus is obtained to a broad scope in industry interests to then provide feedback from such focused expertise to the larger working group for the benefit of the industry at large.
4. What capacity (time, resources) is expected from members who want to join the working group? A two-hour WG meeting every second month and a two-hour workstream engagement every alternate month. So two-hours per month in general unless there are occasions when members are called upon to engage externally in addition to just contributing to the current matters – such as industry forums, conferences, webinars, networking events etc.
