Following the conclusion of a Bilateral Agreement between the SA Government and the Australian Government in February 2009, the SA Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Australian Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) approached the SAAE and the ATSE respectively to convene a Joint Workshop on Energy Technologies for a Low Carbon Future in South Africa on their behalf.

This workshop took place from 6 to 8 September at Vulindlela, the Conference Centre of the Development Bank of Southern Africa in Midrand. It was attended by ten representatives of ATSE and sixty representatives from local stakeholders.

The Australian delegation with President Bob Pullen
and a few of the South African delegates in the
foyer of Vulindlela after the Workshop

The workshop was officially opened by Mr Matt Skelly, First Secretary at the Australian High Commission and Ms Vinny Pillay, Chief Director, Overseas Bilateral Cooperation at DST. The programme consisted of six discussion sessions followed by an integration and closure session.

A welcoming reception hosted by DST took place in the foyer of Vulindlela on 6 September and a workshop dinner, sponsored by ATSE and Eskom, took place at the Midrand Protea Hotel on 7 September.

A report on the workshop containing the recommendations is in preparation for presentation to both governments.