Wind blows stronger in South Africa

Wind Energy South Africa

South Africa came under fierce criticism after making carbon cutting claims in the follow up to the Copenhagen conference that experts and analysts argue they could never achieve.

But as the entire continent of Africa looks to step up renewable energy production in the face of increasing climate change pressure, one of Africa's most economically stable countries looks to be leading the way in wind energy.

Large-scale wind turbine manufacturers are poised to increase production as a new analysis from Frost & Sullivan estimates that revenues will have a 282 percent increase by 2015 from 2008's totals. The consultancy envisions the African large-scale wind turbine market revenues to reach US$424.3 million in 2015 compared to US$148.4 million in 2008, as reported by AE-Africa.com.

"Providing a reliable power supply"

"As a result of public pressure to provide a reliable power supply, governments in Africa are investing more resources into exploring renewable energy for power generation," says Frost & Sullivan energy analyst Sipha Ndawonde.

"The success of the wind power markets in Europe and the United States has convinced many governments that wind power can assist in alleviating some of the power shortages in the continent," added Ndawonde.

The study focuses on the following product segments of the large wind turbine market: 600kW, 660-850kW and greater than 850kW. Wind power projects between 120MW and 300MW have been announced in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and South Africa.

In North Africa, the Zafarana wind site in Egypt is continuing to develop its installed capacity, and interest is growing in the Algerian, Tunisian, and Moroccan wind power markets.

400MW of wind energy in three years

In June last year South Africa Energy Minister Dipuo Peters announced the country will seek to ensure the commissioning of 400 MW of wind power by independent power producers (IPPs) within the next three years.

Speaking during her Budget Vote, Peters also revealed that government was working with the Clinton Foundation for the development of an "Industrial Energy Park" concept, focusing on concentrated solar power (CSP).

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) also approved a renewable energy feed-in tariff, or Refit, for wind, landfill gas, CSP and mini-hydro schemes in support of a stated policy objective of having 10,000GWh of renewable capacity in place by 2013.

South Africa's renewable energy vision is admirable, but they may need to realign their emissions targets if their efforts are to be accepted by the international community. The government there must be realistic in what they can achieve, by being more focused on what they are trying to achieve it will be easier to channel investment to the right areas.

Related Articles:

40MW project for SA | South Africa's empty promises | Investments in wind paying off for SA

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