South Africa’s wind industry must lift employment from 3,750 people to more than 20,000 by 2042 to support planned capacity growth, Vestas Southern and Eastern Africa head Johannes Helberg said.
That hiring surge tracks an expected expansion in installed wind capacity from 7.5 GW by end-2026 to 43 GW by 2042, requiring a much larger skills base across operations, maintenance and engineering.
Helberg said the jobs outlook depends on policy certainty, warning that stop-start renewable procurement is shrinking supply chains and putting manufacturers such as GRI Towers under severe pressure.
He argued a predictable project pipeline and faster grid expansion are essential before investors commit capital and proposed wind projects can move from blueprint to commissioning.
The industry is also pushing a broader definition of localisation to include technician training, apprenticeships, digital operations and R&D, not just factory output.
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South Africa’s Wind Power Ambition: 2026 Progress, Skills Gap, and the Just Transition Challenge
Overview
South Africa is accelerating its wind energy ambitions as part of its broader energy transition and decarbonization goals. In 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa provided clear direction on electricity reform, removing previous uncertainties and signaling a strong governmental push toward renewables. The country is leveraging its prime wind resources, which offer a competitive advantage for generating green electricity. However, the wind sector faces significant hurdles, especially with grid infrastructure and skills shortages. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for South Africa to realize its vision of a just, inclusive, and sustainable energy future driven by wind power.