Problems With Wind Energy In South Africa

South africa s renewable energy mix.

Problems with wind energy in south africa.

The wind industry in africa is still small and concentrated although substantial progress has been observed over the last ten years. South africa s renewable energy programme implementation programme south africa s renewable energy sector experienced explosive growth in the past few years with investment of more than 5 5 billion in 2012 up from a meagre 30 million in 2011 representing an impressive increase of 20 500. South africa is the 7th largest coal producer in the world. The vast majority of south africa s electricity was produced from coal with the fuel responsible for 88 of production in 2017.

As of july 2018 south africa had a coal power generation capacity of. Background electrification update on 28 october 2015 related links south africa is in 2015 again experiencing serious energy constraints which are an impediment to economic growth and is a major inconvenience to everyone in the country president jacob zuma said in his state of the nation address on 12 february 2015. The country consumed 227 twh of electricity in 2018. New and cheaper technologies especially in the renewable energy sector coupled with affordable energy storage are driving this revolution.

How big is africa s wind energy market. South africa currently benefits from clean electricity produced by several renewable energy technologies including solar wind and hydro. Most of these are earmarked for locations along the eastern cape coastline. Each has their advantages and can be implemented depending on local conditions.

Liane greeffthree blades each the length of a tennis court revolve atop a wind energy tower reaching 50 metres into the sky. In august 2017 the total capacity was recorded at 4 1gw the equivalent of four conventional nuclear power plants. South africa s five largest renewable energy projects measured in terms of investment are all multi billion rand wind farms that contribute a collective 645 71 megawatt mw to the grid. Together sa s renewable energy projects contribute 3 773 mw compared to the 43 485mw currently delivered by fossil fuels.

South africa has a large energy sector being the second largest economy in africa. Turbines at the darling wind farm in south africa photograph. An energy revolution is happening in africa where off grid and mini grid power generation is no longer a short term fix but rather a permanent solution.