KPMG initiates discussions on future of renewable energy

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This comes after the firm jointly hosted a renewable energy seminar on 3 March 2016 at the Bryanston Country Club. During the seminar, around 100 delegates learned first-hand how best to promote the renewable energy sector among members, comprising of clients, consultants and contracting fraternities and student chapters.

Malcolm Pautz, KPMG’s associate director in Deal Advisory Infrastructure, says that the seminar afforded attendees the opportunity to network with industry peers and participate in sector-leader driven interactive and informative sessions.

Latest trends

“Through this seminar, we were able to facilitate discussion on the current challenges and future of renewable energy. We were also able to describe the latest trends and emerging technologies, and identified regulatory challenges and capacity constraints. This was a critical platform on which we raised standards, heightened awareness, shared experiences, and educated all stakeholders on the various complexities that are prevalent in the sector,” says Pautz.

The South African energy industry is being transformed by the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. Many power purchase agreements have been signed between Eskom and independent power producers (IPPs) and many more are expected with the round 4.5 bidding process to be imminently completed.

Even with this growth potential, the sector is facing challenges as a result of extreme volatility in financial and supplier markets, grid connectivity, increased competition and the ability of off-takers to absorb more supply which most IPPs are either directly or indirectly exposed to.