As South Africa moves toward installing renewable energy generation capacity, consulting engineers and scientists are applying their professional expertise in various fields.
The aspects relevant to multi-disciplinary groups like SRK Consulting vary from strategic and environmental issues to technical concerns like ground conditions. According to SRK Consulting (South Africa) managing director Andrew Van Zyl, permitting and public participation are key.
''While technology specialists focus on the technical aspects of transitioning to renewable energy, consulting engineers like SRK work with clients to manage the contextual opportunities and risks,'' said Van Zyl. ''Our skills in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) field, for instance, allow the necessary environmental permitting and stakeholder engagement that required by renewable energy initiatives''
Van Zyl adds that the energy infrastructure for solar farms or wind turbines requires geotechnical investigations and civil engineering designs, as well as water management and engagement with communities and other stakeholders.
