The brief was to carry out detailed community needs assessments in the towns adjacent to a wind and solar PV facility. This was done by finding the relevant communities and the statutory as well as non-statutory organisations that function within them to form a basis for the development of a high-level stakeholder matrix from which to conduct an initial needs analysis of potential areas identified for intervention including environmental, education, healthcare, skills development, and enterprise development.
The needs assessments were successfully concluded with appropriate project plans and with minimal disruption to the communities, and subsequently, both projects that were supported were successful bidders into the REIPP bid window round four of the South African renewable energy programme. Due care was taken not to increase community expectations of the arrival of mass jobs and socio-economic opportunities once the facilities were awarded preferred bidder status.
