South Africa using wind energy

South African Wind Energy Association (Sawea), over 1 gigawatt (GW) of power from wind energy is already being harnassed. This, they say, equates to supplying over 500 000 households with energy.

Johan van den Berg, Sawea’s chief executive, promises that there is more to come.

“Wind energy is still a relatively new industry in South Africa and what we have achieved in such a short time is a sure indication of how much more we can do,” he says.

“In 2011, there were just 10 turbines in the country; now we have 13 large wind farms in operation, consisting of over 495 turbines, with many more under construction. More than 3GW of wind energy has already been allocated through the government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPPP) – and more is due to be announced shortly.”

The Department of Energy has committed to 13 225MW of renewable energy generation by 2025. This will be secured under the REIPPPP, which has been running since 2011 and has already completed four successful bidding rounds.

Sawea is gearing up for Windaba, the official wind industry event it hosts in partnership with the Global Wind Energy Council. The annual conference and exhibition will take place in November 2016, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.