South African achievements recognised

The South African National Energy Association (SANEA), the WEC country committee, has recognised outstanding endeavours in energy at an awards ceremony last month (22 August).

SANEA has hosted the awards since 2008 for six consecutive years. This year the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) has chosen to collaborate with SANEA in recognising South Africans and their achievements, specifically by promoting awards in the research and innovation sectors. The SANEDI/RECORD Renewable Energy Research Excellence (RERE) Awards 2013 were also presented at the event.  (RECORD is the Renewable Energy Research Center of Research and Development.)

The Energy Project Award went to KayaGas (Pty) Ltd, while the University of Johannesburg was highly commended for its solar car project. The Energy Education Award was awarded to the Eskom WESSA Energy & Sustainability Programme. The Energy Journalism Award went to Marlene van Rooyen, 25° Degrees in Africa, and Antonio Ruffini, from ESI Africa.

A Special Recognition Award was presented to the Department of Energy as the representative of all those involved in making the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement programme (REIPPPP) a success. The Service Award 2013 was presented to Carrol James of Sasol.

The SANEDI/RECORD RERE YOUNG RESEARCHER AWARD 2013 was presented to Johan Kotze, PhD student at the University of Stellenbosch. The SANEDI / RECORD RERE Commercial Application Award 2013 went to ChargeMaestro-SA, while Home-Grown Business Integrations was highly commended in this category.

The recipients of the SANEA / SANEDI Energy Awards 2013 were announced at a ceremony and banquet hosted by Brian A. Statham, Chairman of SANEA.

In his keynote address, Mr Statham paid tribute to the many men and women who are striving daily to ensure that South Africa enjoys a stable and secure energy future. He said: “SANEA's Vision of ‘Energy People Working Together’ is alive as we come together to congratulate these winners.”

He added: “It is important for all of us to stretch the boundaries.  If South Africa is to be recognised as a leading nation we have to go beyond the range of normal expectations.  Through exceptional performance we can demonstrate what is possible. We can set the standard for a new reality that will deliver the social and economic development necessary for South Africans to enjoy a great future.  We have to do this every day, at work and at play.”

For more info visit: http://bit.ly/17u2DKx