Germany becomes a partner in the South African Renewables Initiative (SARI)

Germany is participating in the South African initiative for a massive expansion of renewable energies, SARI. In a ceremony yesterday evening Germany signed the Declaration of Intent on the South African Renewables Initiative (SARI) together with representatives from Denmark, Great Britain, Norway, Switzerland and the European Investment Bank. "SARI is an important programme for climate, energy and industrial policy whose impact will also be felt beyond South Africa's borders," said Federal Environment Minister Röttgen.

With per capita CO2 emissions of more than 10 tonnes, South Africa is among the major emitters of greenhouse gases. In the further development of its energy supply South Africa aims to focus increasingly on renewable sources and reach a renewables share in electricity supply of 9 percent by 2030. South Africa’s expansion plans will create a market of up to 20 gigawatts in the next few years, mainly for wind and solar energy. The country wants to tap this potential with international support. The expansion of renewable energies is thus also a key factor in South Africa’s transformation towards a green economy.

Through SARI South Africa is providing a framework for comprehensive direct support from the international community to facilitate the implementation of these ambitious goals. Envisaged areas of cooperation include financing and the development of financing mechanisms, and advice on appropriate framework conditions and on the establishment of a green economy. Alongside the expansion of renewables, South Africa also intends SARI to contribute to a sustainable economy, and expects that tens of thousands of new jobs will be created in the environmental and climate technology sectors once the planned measures are put into practice. Specific areas of cooperation between Germany and South Africa will be defined in bilateral agreements to be concluded under the international Declaration of Intent on SARI.

The South African Initiative is supported jointly by the Federal Environment Ministry and the Federal Development Ministry. SARI is not Germany’s only instrument of support for South Africa. The German government has so far provided a total of around 400 million euros for climate and energy projects in South Africa. For example, funds from the Federal Environment Ministry’s International Climate Initiative are used to advise the South African Environment Ministry on the implementation of its national climate strategy.