Webinar in partnership with Renewable Energy World
Wind Energy in South Africa has been expanding dramatically, growing from 10 MW installed in 2011 to 1980 MW past financial close in 2015, with about a third commercially operational, a third approaching commissioning and a third about to commence construction. Growth is strong, with projections of 6,000 MW installed by end of 2020. At present, the wind sector is already about USD 4.2 billion strong in the country.
Projects are generally large (> 100 MW). The wind resource is excellent with successful projects achieving capacity factors above 35%, and sometimes above 40%. Electricity is procured by the national utility (Eskom) in terms of a 20 year PPA, under-written by government. The procurement process is competitive tender/kWh (70% of scoring top price) and best performance on socio-economic and enterprise development in communities around wind farms (30% of scoring)
International companies have been very successful in various parts of the supply chain (turbine suppliers, developers, utilities, other).
Important enablers for international companies are:
- A thorough understanding of the regulatory regime generally and procurement framework specifically
- An understanding and acceptance of the paradigm around the upliftment of previously disadvantaged South Africans
- Competent people on the ground, with an understanding of local conditions
- Partnership and collaborations with local role players
- An understanding of the bottle necks that have to be negotiated in the medium and long term (grid access, financial feasibility of Eskom, managing high penetrations of RE into the grid, other)
The webcast will contextualise and detail these issues and provide thoughts on how best to navigate the challenges. Registration here.
Speakers’ biographies
Johan Van den Berg
CEO, South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA)
Johan van den Berg is the CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association, the Chair of the South African Renewable Energy Council and the African Private Sector Focal Point for the Africa-EU Energy Partnership. A barrister, he has spent eighteen years in dispute resolution; environmental mediation; climate change avoidance/emissions trading; and efforts to deploy renewable energy in Southern Africa. He is a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Energy and was awarded the 2015 Global Sustainable Leadership Award by the World CSR congress in Mumbai, India.
Steve Sawyer
Secretary General, GWEC (Global Wind Energy Council)
Steve Sawyer, Secretary-General of GWEC, has worked in the energy and environment field since 1978, with a particular focus on climate change and renewable energy since 1988. He spent many years working for Greenpeace International, representing the organization at intergovernmental and industry fora primarily on energy and climate issues. At GWEC he is focused on working with intergovernmental organisations such as the UNFCCC, IPCC, IRENA, IEA, IFC and ADB to ensure that wind power takes its rightful place in the energy options for the future; and with opening up new markets for the industry worldwide.
About GWEC
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) is the global trade association representing the wind industry. GWEC works at the highest international political level to create a better policy environment for wind power. GWEC’s mission is to ensure that wind power establishes itself as the answer to today's energy challenges, providing substantial environmental and economic benefits. For more information: www.gwec.net.
Registration here.
