Fin24 reports that Eskom has signed an agreement with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) for reskilling workers at the Komati power station, which is due for decommissioning at the end of September.

An agreement was signed by Eskom CEO André De Ruyter and CPUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Nhlapo at the SA Renewable Energy Technology Centre on Monday. Nhlapo explained that it provided for the upskilling and reskilling of workers and communities dependent on the coal-value chain in Mpumalanga and surrounds, using accredited courses and programmes from CPUT. De Ruyter indicated that the last unit at Komati was due for decommissioning in September and Eskom had been looking to repurpose the plant. He remarked: "We had two options. On the one hand we could put a padlock on the gate, and walk away and leave a community that has served Eskom and South Africa well for decades in the lurch. Or we could make an alternative plan and make sure that we provide a new future and new horizon for the people of Komati and the surrounding area." Among the initiatives to repurpose and repower the power station include building a 100 MW solar plant and looking into the feasibility of a 40 MW to 70 MW wind plant at the site. There are also plans to install a micro-grid manufacturing facility. Apart from the physical infrastructure, Eskom considered the social impact of the transition to renewables and the need to re-empower the human capital at Komati, which includes direct employees, contractors, the local community and surrounding towns. For this reason, Eskom has set out plans for a training centre for workers and others to be able to participate in the renewable energy industry. Initially, the focus of the training will be at Komati, with the aim to roll this out for all Eskom workers, contractors and others interested in working in renewable energy.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lameez Omarjee at Fin24

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