Fostering Future Business Elite in South Africa: SAWEM School's Mission
Preparing for South Africa's New Energy Economy: The SAWEM School
In a significant move towards modernizing the South African electricity sector, the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has announced the launch of the SAWEM School [1]. This flagship educational programme is designed to prepare participants for active and accredited engagement in the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM), which is undergoing a transformation into a more open and competitive environment.
The SAWEM School offers a comprehensive learning experience, providing a deep dive into the market structure and the roles and responsibilities of each participant. Over three days each month, the school combines theoretical knowledge with real-world simulations, offering hands-on guidance on essential mechanisms such as gate closure, dispatch, and system balancing [1].
The curriculum also includes expert-led case studies and simulations that reflect real-world market scenarios, empowering stakeholders with the skills and credentials required to participate in a modernized electricity market. By the end of the programme, participants will have a solid understanding of financial settlement processes, credit management, and risk mitigation [1].
The importance of the SAWEM School lies in the fact that certification from the school is mandatory for market entry into SAWEM. Any individual or entity intending to trade or operate within the SAWEM market must first pass through the SAWEM School [1]. This certification ensures that all market participants have the necessary competence and understanding of the market rules, creating a level playing field and safeguarding the integrity of the system from the outset.
The SAWEM School's mission is dual: education and empowerment, as encapsulated by its mantra, "Know the Rules. Enabling Participation" [1]. By demystifying the technical and operational complexities of electricity trading in the newly liberalized market, the school is laying the groundwork for a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy future.
The SAWEM School is set to begin in July 2025 [1]. As a symbol and a catalyst of the energy sector’s systemic overhaul in South Africa, the SAWEM School is poised to support South Africa’s transition to a liberalized and competitive electricity market.
References:
[1] NTCSA. (2023). SAWEM School Launch Announcement. Retrieved from https://www.ntcsa.co.za/news/sawem-school-launch-announcement [2] Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. (2022). South Africa's Energy Transition: A Roadmap to a Competitive and Sustainable Electricity Market. Retrieved from https://www.dmre.gov.za/south-africas-energy-transition-roadmap-competitive-and-sustainable-electricity-market
- To excel in South Africa's evolving energy economy, it's crucial that individuals and entities acquire the necessary education, especially in technology and economics, as demonstrated by the SAWEM School's comprehensive curriculum, which focuses on market structures, financial settlement processes, and risk mitigation.
- As technology advances and the education landscape evolves, the SAWEM School's educational-and-self-development program can play a significant role in preparing South Africans for active participation in the country's new energy market by empowering them with the skills and certification required for market entry.
