The South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) is one of 14 industry-specific masterplans which form part of a national process led by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to inform an industrial strategy. COSATU has actively participated in the debates and negotiations across the sector masterplans and acknowledges the efforts to finalise the SAREM after almost three years of development.

The ongoing process to establish the SAREM is an opportunity to transform existing industrial policy to ensure maximum benefit in the process of realising a just energy transition. This document provides a reflective comment on the Masterplan and offers key recommendations which advance employment creation and decent work in support of the labour movement. COSATU has engaged consistently with the SAREM process, with the support of the IEJ, since its inception and has provided comments and reflections to the initial inception report (prepared by Green Cape NPC), through affiliate participation in working groups, and through the executive oversight committee.

Over the various iterations of the Masterplan, several proposed recommendations have been incorporated into the plan, particularly the inclusion of Employee Ownership Schemes, Technology Transfer Systems, consideration of recycling, and reference to decent work opportunities.

This submission discusses the most recent SAREM draft, made public for comment, and offers final recommendations to the coordinating committee, consistent with COSATU and the IEJ’s inputs throughout the SAREM development process.