South African Wind Energy Association
The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) is a 27-year-old not-for-profit industry association representing 101+ wind energy companies across South Africa, delivering advocacy, market intelligence, conferences, and training programmes to advance wind power deployment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What South African Wind Energy Association does
The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) is a not-for-profit industry association founded in 1998 and headquartered in Rosebank, Johannesburg, that serves as the unified representative body for the South African wind energy sector. It represents over 101 corporate members across the full value chain, including wind farm developers and operators (Enel Green Power RSA, Mainstream Renewable Power), turbine manufacturers (Nordex Energy South Africa, Siemens Gamesa), and service providers. SAWEA's product portfolio centres on industry advocacy, knowledge products, and convening events: the annual Windaba conference and WindAc academic conference, the SAWEA Industry Awards, and recurring development programmes (energyDRIVE, Management Development Programme, Work Readiness Programme, and the WIIP internship). Its knowledge assets include the South African Wind Atlas, the Wind Energy Market Intelligence Report, position papers on NEMA approvals and avian impact, the Community Engagement Handbook, the Gender Diversity Guideline co-developed with SAPVIA, the South African Wind Farms database organised by REIPPPP bid window, and educational publications such as the "Let the Wind Blow" children's book.
SAWEA operates on a subscription-style membership fee model with tiered access — including A1 members such as Enel Green Power, Nordex, Siemens Gamesa, Mainstream, and Anthem SA — and generates supplementary revenue from event registration and publication sales. Distribution is direct to enterprise members through the Glueup membership platform, with no third-party channel intermediaries. The association engages directly with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), NERSA, Eskom, and the South African Civil Aviation Authority on policy, grid access, and regulatory frameworks, and maintains strategic alliances with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), SAPVIA, SANEDI, and the Africa Foundation for Sustainable Development. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, consistent with its non-profit governance by a Board of Governance led by a rotating two-year chairperson (currently Stephen Koopman of ENERTRAG South Africa, effective 2026).
South African Wind Energy Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- South African Wind Energy Association
- Legal name
- South African Wind Energy Association
- Website
- https://sawea.org.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) is a 27-year-old not-for-profit industry association representing 101+ wind energy companies across South Africa, delivering advocacy, market intelligence, conferences, and training programmes to advance wind power deployment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
South African Wind Energy Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wind Energy Industry Association
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wind Resource Assessment & Energy Yield Analytics (Met Masts, LiDAR, Modeling) (EUAMACAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Permitting, Siting & Environmental Impact (EIA/NEPA) Advisory (EUAMANAB), Stakeholder Engagement, Indigenous/Tribal Consultation & Social Impact (SIA) (EUAHAAAH)
Keywords
Where South African Wind Energy Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Johannesburg
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
South African Wind Energy Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: SAWEA operates as a not-for-profit organization representing wind energy in South Africa with over 101 members. Revenue is generated through membership fees from corporate members including wind farm operators, manufacturers, developers, and service providers.
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
South African Wind Energy Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SAWEA is a not-for-profit industry association that represents the unified voice of wind energy in South Africa. The association provides industry advocacy, knowledge resources, research, market intelligence, industry events, and skills development programs to its 101+ members. Core deliverables include policy advocacy, networking events such as Windaba and WindAc, market intelligence reports, the South African Wind Atlas, and development programmes supporting the wind energy value chain.
Product overview
The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) is a not-for-profit industry association serving as the unified voice of wind energy in South Africa. Rather than offering a single product, SAWEA provides a comprehensive portfolio of programs, events, publications, and resources that support wind energy development. Core offerings include Windaba (Africa's Premier Wind Energy Conference), WindAc (academic conference), and the SAWEA Industry Awards. The association runs several development initiatives including energyDRIVE, the Management Development Programme, WIIP internship program, and Work Readiness Programme. SAWEA publishes market intelligence through its Wind Energy Market Intelligence Report and manages the South African Wind Atlas as a resource database. The association also provides educational resources like the '10 Years of Wind' publication, 'Let the Wind Blow' children's book, Community Engagement Handbook, and Gender Diversity Guideline. Position Papers on policy matters and Research and Studies libraries support industry advocacy. The Renewable Energy Career Centre facilitates job matching in the sector. SAWEA members represent the full wind energy value chain including turbine manufacturers like Nordex Energy South Africa and developers like Enel Green Power.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Windaba: Africa's Premier Wind Energy Conference, an annual event organized by SAWEA.
- WindAc
- energyDRIVE
- WIIP
Products and services
- SAWEA Corporate Membership Tiered corporate membership (including A1 tier) providing access to resources, events, committees, industry representation, market intelligence, and advocacy for wind farm operators, manufacturers, developers, and service providers.
- Windaba Conference Africa's Premier Wind Energy Conference, an annual event that serves as a platform for industry stakeholders to discuss trends, share knowledge, and recognize achievements in the wind energy sector.
- SAWEA Industry Awards
- WindAc Conference
- SAWEA Wind Energy Market Intelligence Report
- South African Wind Atlas Wind resource mapping tool providing high-resolution wind data for South Africa at 100m above ground level, supporting project development decisions.
- Renewable Energy Career Centre
- Community Engagement Handbook
- Gender Diversity Guideline for the Renewable Energy Industry
Quantifiable outcome
- IRP2025 allocation of 43GW wind capacity by 2042
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use South African Wind Energy Association
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
South African Wind Energy Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
South African Wind Energy Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)coreCollaboration on analysis reports and position papers, including joint work on the draft IRP2024 Analysis Report and Industry Position Paper development. GWEC and SAWEA jointly seek consultant services for industry thought leadership.
- South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA)coreJoint Environmental Working Group producing position papers including Industry Position on Fast Tracking NEMA Approvals. Joint development of Gender Diversity Guideline for the Renewable Energy Industry.
- Africa Foundation for Sustainable Development (AFSD)minorPartner in supporting wind farm community development programmes, including the Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (MER) learnership that led to the establishment of Witzenberg Excellence.
- Enel Green Power RSAcoreA1 member of SAWEA, operating the 330 MW Impofu Wind Farm cluster with PPAs with Sasol and Air Liquide. Represents major wind energy development in South Africa's C&I market.
- Nordex Energy South AfricacoreA1 member of SAWEA, implementing economic development programmes including the Livestock for Livelihoods initiative in Noupoort as part of Koruson 2 construction project commitments.
- Siemens GamesacoreA1 member of SAWEA, major wind turbine manufacturer and service provider in South Africa.
- Mainstream Renewable Power South AfricacoreA1 member and established renewable energy platform with 11.6 GW development pipeline, recently acquired by A.P. Moller Capital.
- EskomcoreState-owned utility and grid operator; SAWEA engages with Eskom on grid access, wheeling frameworks, and renewable energy grid surveys. Eskom convenes working groups on wildlife-friendly power line design.
- Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)coreGovernment ministry overseeing REIPPPP and energy policy; SAWEA provides industry briefings and position papers to Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy.
- NERSAcoreNational Energy Regulator of South Africa; SAWEA engages on regulatory frameworks, consultation papers, and electricity regulation matters affecting wind energy.
- SANEDIminorSouth African National Energy Development Institute; collaborated on Wind Atlas South Africa (WASA) project and renewable energy research.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
South African Wind Energy Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- WindEurope: European wind energy industry association offering policy advocacy, market intelligence, and events. Highly comparable operating model to SAWEA but at continental European scale, and a reference point for the type of trade-body services SAWEA provides in South Africa.
- International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): Intergovernmental organisation that produces widely cited wind and renewable energy market intelligence (e.g., reports referenced in SAWEA's library). Overlaps with SAWEA's research and policy engagement function at a global level rather than competing for corporate membership.
- Global Wind Energy Council: International trade association for the wind energy sector. Direct strategic partner of SAWEA and operates as the global umbrella body for wind, providing analogous advocacy, market intelligence, and policy engagement services at a worldwide scale.
- American Clean Power Association (ACP): US-based clean energy trade association (formed via merger including the former American Wind Energy Association). Comparable advocacy, market intelligence, and policy engagement model applied to wind and broader clean power in North America.
- Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA): Canadian wind, solar, and energy storage trade association formed via merger including the former Canadian Wind Energy Association. Comparable multi-program industry association model covering advocacy, events, and market intelligence.
Regional players
- Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA): India's wind energy industry body representing OEMs and developers. Comparable emerging-market wind trade association model focused on domestic advocacy, policy engagement, and OEM member representation.
- Brazilian Wind Energy Association (ABEEólica): Brazil's national wind energy trade association. Highly comparable in mandate (wind-only advocacy, market data, events) and emerging-market context, though operating in a different geography with more mature wind capacity.
Direct peers
- South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA): South Africa's solar PV industry association and SAWEA's closest domestic counterpart. Joint partner on environmental working groups and the Gender Diversity Guideline; mirrors SAWEA's structure, member model, and policy advocacy role for a different renewable technology.
Emerging players
- African Clean Energy (ACE) Network / African Energy Chamber: Africa-focused energy industry bodies that provide overlapping advocacy and convening functions for renewable energy stakeholders on the continent, including in South Africa, competing partially for the same audience and sponsors.
- GreenCape: South African non-profit supporting green economy and renewable energy sector development. Operates in an adjacent space with overlapping stakeholder audiences, particularly around market intelligence and skills development in the Western Cape.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
South African Wind Energy Association social profiles
Digital presenceSouth African Wind Energy Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
South African Wind Energy Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
South African Wind Energy Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
South African Wind Energy Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about South African Wind Energy Association
What does South African Wind Energy Association do?
SAWEA is a not-for-profit industry association that represents the unified voice of wind energy in South Africa. The association provides industry advocacy, knowledge resources, research, market intelligence, industry events, and skills development programs to its 101+ members. Core deliverables include policy advocacy, networking events such as Windaba and WindAc, market intelligence reports, the South African Wind Atlas, and development programmes supporting the wind energy value chain.
Is South African Wind Energy Association a public or private company?
South African Wind Energy Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was South African Wind Energy Association founded?
South African Wind Energy Association was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is South African Wind Energy Association based?
South African Wind Energy Association is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does South African Wind Energy Association make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Fees.
Who are South African Wind Energy Association's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are WindEurope, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Global Wind Energy Council, American Clean Power Association (ACP) and Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA). Regional players are Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA) and Brazilian Wind Energy Association (ABEEólica). South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) is listed as a direct peer. Emerging players are African Clean Energy (ACE) Network / African Energy Chamber and GreenCape.
Does South African Wind Energy Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for South African Wind Energy Association.
What industry is South African Wind Energy Association in?
South African Wind Energy Association's product category is Wind Energy Industry Association. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMACAJ, Wind Resource Assessment & Energy Yield Analytics (Met Masts, LiDAR, Modeling), with a secondary code of EUAMANAB, Permitting, Siting & Environmental Impact (EIA/NEPA) Advisory. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.