Windaba 2026, the flagship conference and exhibition of the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), will return to Cape Town on 6–7 October 2026 under the theme “Implementing Watt Matters: Policy. Power. People.” 

Now in its 15th year, Windaba will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, developers, global partners and other key stakeholders to examine the policy, market and investment conditions required to accelerate South Africa’s wind energy ambitions and translate them into tangible outcomes. 

Windaba 2026 marks an evolution in the event’s format and programme. The conference will transition from a three-day to a focused two-day programme, designed to facilitate more strategic, dynamic and high-level conversations and workshops around the issues shaping the future of South Africa’s energy sector. 

The programme will be structured around three interconnected pillars: Policy, Power and People; providing a framework for exploring the critical conditions required to move the energy transition from ambition to implementation. 

SAWEA Chief Communications Officer Morongoa Ramaboa says the evolution of Windaba reflects the maturation of the South African wind energy sector and the urgency of the next phase of its development. 

“While the IRP 2025 provides a foundation for this growth, successful implementation will depend on practical reforms, particularly procurement certainty, stronger grid coordination and closer alignment between energy policy, infrastructure development and investment timelines. 

“Against this backdrop, we have intentionally revised the Windaba programme to create a more focused platform for knowledge-sharing, strategic dialogue and thought leadership across three interconnected pillars: Policy, Power and People.” 

Ramaboa says the theme reflects the sector’s need to move decisively into an implementation phase. 

“The focus must now shift from ambition to implementation by translating policy into projects, power into economic opportunity, and sector growth into meaningful benefits for the people of South Africa.” 

Three pillars shaping the Windaba 2026 programme: 

● Policy: The Policy pillar will examine the regulatory and policy environment required to create greater certainty and unlock investment, including the implementation of the Integrated Resource Plan, procurement reform, market development and policy alignment. 

● Power: The Power pillar will focus on the infrastructure and market conditions required to enable growth, including grid expansion, transmission capacity, system integration, investment and the delivery of new generation capacity. 

● People: The People pillar will explore the broader economic and social dimensions of the energy transition, including skills development, localisation, industrialisation, community participation and ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy development are more broadly shared. 

Together, these pillars will anchor a programme focused on translating policy ambition and industry dialogue into practical insights, collaboration and action. 

A platform for strategic engagement and investment 

Windaba 2026 will provide a platform for delegates, exhibitors and investors to engage with the policy reforms, market developments and investment opportunities shaping South Africa’s wind energy sector and broader energy transition. 

Through high-level plenaries, focused industry exchanges and strategic engagements, the programme will bring together decision-makers and industry experts to examine what is required to unlock the next phase of wind energy deployment and strengthen South Africa’s position as a competitive renewable energy market. 

The detailed Windaba 2026 programme will be released ahead of the event, with further announcements on speakers, sessions and programme engagements to follow.