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dam-l Wind energy in SA/LS

Sorry for multiple postings, but information on alternatives is always welcome.


>Press Release
>
>Please contact SAWEA on 021 447 2454,or sawea@icon.co.za, should you wish
>to be removed permanently from their circulation list or have
>communications redirected.
>
>From: The South African Wind Energy Association.
>SAWEA is the local expert and Trade Association for wind energy.
>
>What: The world's fastest growing energy source
>
>When: Pertinent to the international investment summit, planned for Cape
>Town, 1-2nd December 1998.
>
>
>Where: South Africa's underutilised wind resource
>
>Why: South Africa is trying to catch up with Egypt, Eritrea, India, Spain
>and dozens of other countries in the adoption of bulk electricity
>generation from wind energy. Wind energy has the potential to create
>hundreds of jobs in South Africa and contribute to economic revival while
>contributing positively to a cleaner environment.
>
>How: Renewable energy technologies (RET's) promise to be a bigger industry
>in the 2000's than the automotive industry was in the 1900's. By starting
>to implement wind energy projects now South Africa could emerge with one
>of the most efficient energy systems in the world. In the process
>thousands of jobs would be created. South Africa could see millions of
>rand foreign investment in technology transfer and joint ventures because
>of the drive to assist developing countries adopt RET's.
>
>Wind energy has advanced enormously since the self-sufficiency movement of
>the 60's and the primitive wind farms of the Californian wind rush of the
>70's. Wind energy technology is now one of the best economically feasible
>solutions for large-scale generation of clean, safe and abundant energy.
>Wind energy is the world’s fastest growing energy source, growing at an
>average rate of 20% annually since 1990.
>
>Policymakers everywhere are slowly encouraging the many "win-win"
>solutions available to them to enable sustainable development in the
>energy sector. Counter productive incentives and subsidies are being
>abandoned and barriers to market efficiency being removed. In many
>instances, wind energy is being demonstrated as the most cost-effective
>supplier of electricity.
>
>Eskom has instituted "The South African Bulk Renewable Electricity
>Generation project" (SABRE-Gen). In this they propose to explore renewable
>energy as an alternative generation option. The wind part of the project
>will focus on the feasibility of establishing a 200MW wind farm in South
>Africa. The size of the wind farm will depend greatly on the results of
>the pre-feasibility study where the size, application, location and
>appropriateness of the wind farm will be addressed.
>
>The CSIR has recognised two major potential market sectors for wind
>energy: the grid connected market and the off-grid market. In the grid
>connected market they are undertaking to establish a potential wind farm
>in the Cape Metropolitan area. In the off-grid market they are undertaking
>a project in the Eastern Cape utilising wind energy to provide power for a
>small cluster of economic activities.
>
>Hermann Oelsner in the Western Cape has already invested hundreds of
>thousands of rand in his dream of clean energy from wind. After two years
>of feasibility and economic studies, he is sure that the generation of
>bulk electricity at the site near Darling on the West Coast is
>economically viable. He believes the planned R30 million 5MW project by
>his company, the "Darling Independent Power Producer" will launch South
>Africa into the era of bulk sustainable power generation and bring jobs
>and investment to the region.
>
>The South African Wind Energy Association was formed to stimulate the
>growth of a wind energy industry in South Africa. It has the support of
>Eskom the CSIR and the Department of Minerals and Energy. It has forged
>links with the European and American Wind Associations. These
>organisations are assisting the South Africans with knowledge and
>experience in areas as diverse as Best Practice Guidelines for Wind Energy
>Developments, to effective lobbying and information dissemination.
>
>Use of wind energy will help preserve vital natural resources, such as
>coal and water (Wind energy water usage is 1/500th that of coal and
>nuclear generation). No greenhouse gases are emitted in the production of
>electricity from wind, and no hazardous wastes are produced. Almost the
>entire wind turbine can be recycled and the fuel supply (wind) is endless.
>Wind turbines are now being designed for aesthetic appeal (consider the
>aesthetics of a conventional power station!). Sound emissions are no
>longer an issue with modern, efficient turbines and siting. Public support
>for wind farms is highest in regions nearest existing wind farms.
>
>SA can already supply 40% local content of wind farms. Industrial
>groupings which will benefit include manufacturers and suppliers of
>magnets, mechanical engineering components (from ladders to gear boxes),
>electrical components (from cabling to transformers), GRP parts (rotor
>blades), and measuring equipment. Consulting and civil engineering
>companies and building contractors are used for infrastructure and
>construction. Expertise is needed in lightning protection and sound
>measurement. Turbines are usually monitored electronically on a computer
>or telephone network. Of course banks and insurance companies are involved
>at every stage.
>
>Please don't hesitate to contact The South African Wind Energy
>Association, should you require further information on any aspect of this
>release.
>
>Yours sincerely,
>A.S.Ceglowski
>CEO - SAWEA
>
>SAWEA, P.O.Box 43286, Salt River 7915
>

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      Lori Pottinger, Director, Southern Africa Program,
        and Editor, World Rivers Review
           International Rivers Network
              1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, California 94703, USA
                  Tel. (510) 848 1155   Fax (510) 848 1008
                        http://www.irn.org
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