The 2022 EnergyDrive, which is designed to be interactive, enticing and educational, has kicked off and will be visiting 120 learners across three local schools within the Witzenberg Municipal area, during this last week of October.
“I believe the programme adds value to learning and learners get an opportunity to see, experience, and relate to topics they cover in class. Learners also get an opportunity to speak to people working at the wind farms and ask interesting questions. The purpose of this is to allow learners to see things from a different perspective and assist them in choosing subjects and careers,” stated Dennis Solomon, Plant Manager for Perdekraal East Wind Farm, which is funding this programme, in this area, in partnership with the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA).
The custom-built edu-vehicle, which features a solar roof structure, biogas digester, photovoltaic panel display unit as well as a solar hot water display unit, will provide a fun and impactful way for learners to grasp the benefits and uses of renewable energy technologies to learners at Iingcinga Zethu High School, Ceres Secondary School, and Bella Vista High School.
In order to inspire future leaders and decision-makers, this programme teaches high school students about renewable energy and climate change awareness. As well as empowering youth to adopt sustainable lifestyles, the objective is to increase awareness so that future generations can play an essential role in increasing community adaptation and mitigation capabilities.
Solomon concluded by saying, “In the end, learners are the future technicians, engineers, managers, and leaders of our industry, and we can unlock that potential with the EnergyDrive initiative.”
