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Wind Energy

Crane-less technology simplifies turbine repair

By: Nadine Ramdass 29th September 2023 Given the increasing size and weight of wind turbine components, ‘crane-less technology’ is becoming more relevant in the wind energy sector and will likely be adopted more widely in South Africa in the coming years, says power plant operator 3Energy CEO Florian Kroeber. While the term crane-less... →

G7 Renewable Energies - a leader in the South African wind energy industry

29th September 2023 G7 Renewable Energies is a leading developer and independent power producer (IPP) of renewable energy projects in South Africa. The company was founded in 2008 by a team of experienced professionals who are passionate about renewable energy and its potential to help South Africa meet its energy... →

Offshore wind energy offers value to energy mix

By: Nadine Ramdass 29th September 2023 Offshore wind energy has significant potential to provide a consistent source of renewable energy and create jobs in South Africa. While there are challenges to overcome, such as grid upgrades and maintenance costs, the benefits of offshore wind make it a promising solution to the country’s... →

An image of Harmattan Renewables director Chanda Nxumalo

CHANDA NXUMALO Offshore wind energy provides a consistent source of renewable energy

Windaba focuses on wind energy sector impact

By: Nadine Ramdass 29th September 2023 The twelfth edition of Windaba, hosted by the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), will focus on the impact of wind energy, its role in the energy mix, and related industry and energy challenges. The event will be held from October 3 to 5 at the Cape Town International Convention... →

NIVESHEN GOVENDER Renewable energy must be at a pace that will not risk energy security

Enel Green Power empowers people and businesses in SA

7th October 2022 Since 2011, Enel Green Power South Africa (EGP RSA) has become one of the leading providers of renewable energy in the country, intent on changing lives through the production of 1.2 GW of renewable energy as well as via its enterprise development (ED) and socio-economic development (SED)... →

EGP RSA country manager Manuele Battisti.

Sintech

7th October 2022 Svendborg Brakes have been installed as original equipment in South Africa, and throughout the world, on a wide range of applications. The key to their success is extensive application knowledge, innovative design, fast prototyping and a highly advanced research and development facility in... →

Ring force transducers crucial for wind turbines

By: Leah Shelene Asaram 7th October 2022 Ring force transducers are pivotal in wind turbines, owing to their beneficial properties that calculate tension and compression forces, says global leader in pressure, temperature and level measuring technology WIKA Instruments product specialist Busisiwe Zikalala. When the compression force... →

An image of WIKA’s ring force transducer in application

ACTIVE RING FORCE TRANSDUCER Only 10% of the bolted joints need to be instrumented to obtain a reliable picture of the structural condition of the wind turbine

Increased generation capacity of wind farms to boost decarbonisation

By: Leah Shelene Asaram 7th October 2022 The increase in capacity of wind energy generation is a key benefactor for the country to decarbonise its power sector, says South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) CEO Niveshen Govender. Over the past year, operational wind projects have reduced carbon emissions by 8.1-million tons. →

An image of SAWEA’s Jeffreys Bay wind farm

ESCALATING ENERGY Over the past year, operational wind projects have reduced carbon emissions by 8.1-million tons.

WASA Phase 3 has reached completion

By: Leah Shelene Asaram 7th October 2022 The Wind Atlas for South Africa (WASA) Phase 3 project, which anchored the development of wind resource mapping-capacity, reached completion at the end of 2021, says energy research institution South African National Energy Development Institute GM Dr Karen Surridge. The objective in all phases... →

Offshore wind farms a potential energy source

By: Leah Shelene Asaram 7th October 2022 Offshore wind farms have received less attention in the transition to net zero, primarily owing to technology barriers linked to higher capital costs and the lesser adoption of the technology, says University of Pretoria (UP) former master’s student and current engineering unit manager Sibusiso... →

WATER MEETS ENERGY Offshore wind farms create and allow for higher wind speeds which allows for an increase in capacity generation

Atlas project to be finalised

By: Cameron Mackay 1st October 2021 Local wind energy collaboration the South African Wind Energy Programme (SAWEP) is in the final stages of completing the Wind Atlas for South Africa (WASA) Phase 3 project this year, says SAWEP project manager Andre Otto. SAWEP is a multiyear technical assistance project, funded by the Global... →

Sintech

1st October 2021 Since 1984 Sintech has supplied the South African market with clutches, brakes and engineering solutions for a range of applications not only in mining and mining-related industries, but also the clean energy sector. Electricity produced from wind is clean and renewable, and will assist in... →

Event celebrates ten-year milestone

By: Cameron Mackay 1st October 2021 The annual Windaba Conference and Exhibition 2021, will take place on October 7 and 8 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre as part of celebrating the wind industry’s being operational in South Africa for ten years, says South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) chairperson Mercia... →

Developer highlights latest bidding round as milestone

By: Cameron Mackay 1st October 2021 Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) is a key milestone along South Africa’s energy path and confirms government’s commitment to address power generation shortages in the country, says independent power producer (IPP) Globeleq chief... →

ASSURING UPTAKE The local wind energy sector needs predictability and a steady flow of procurement over the coming years to justify investments in new capacity

Positive prospects for wind energy

By: Cameron Mackay 1st October 2021 The outlook for the local wind energy sector is “exciting and positive” when considering the wind energy projects that have been implemented throughout South Africa in recent years, which capitalised on increased investor and developer interest in renewable-energy projects, states engineering... →

Image of WSP in Africa power director Dinesh Buldoo

DINESH BULDOO South Africa has ideal wind energy resources, and has progressed in harnessing this potential through previous REIPPPP rounds, with about 2.2 GW of installed capacity

Project a blueprint for renewables future

By: Cameron Mackay 1st October 2021 The Oya Energy Hybrid dispatchable facility, which consists of colocated solar, wind and battery storage energy, will form a blueprint for the way in which South Africa’s energy grid will be able to operate on 100% renewable energy, says energy project developer G7 Renewable Energies MD Dr... →

iStock image - Transition to renewable energies

FOREFRONT OF WIND INNOVATION The Oya facility shows the value of wind energy to the grid, and that reliable energy can be supplied to South African consumers with battery storage

Company provides solutions for remote wind farm

By: Cameron Mackay 2nd October 2020 Air compressor, pumps and generator rental supplier Rand-Air has supplied a new wind farm project, in the Eastern Cape, with energy solutions for on-site offices. The supplier provided 12 QLV model lighting towers, and four 60 kVA generators with distribution boards. →

Company enters wind energy space locally

2nd October 2020 As engineering solutions provider Zest WEG’s holding company, Brazil-based WEG, is already well-established in the wind energy sector in South America, Zest WEG is developing its own momentum in this segment locally. According to Zest WEG integrated solutions executive Alastair Gerrard, the role... →

Wake loss could create headwinds

By: Cameron Mackay 2nd October 2020 With wind energy set to contribute more to the national energy grid in the future, owing to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019, wake loss will become more of a challenge as the wind energy sector grows, says local wind energy company Aurora Wind Power CEO Mmoledi Chisalokile. “The IRP 2019... →

Microgrids present ideal platform for wind energy

By: Cameron Mackay 2nd October 2020 Using microgrids offers an ideal platform for renewable-energy sources, such as wind energy, to be used more extensively, says turnkey energy project solutions provider SEM Solutions national sales manager Tiaan Hendriks. Renewable-energy sources, such as wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy,... →

Wind industry ready for surplus energy procurement

By: Cameron Mackay 2nd October 2020 The local wind energy industry is “eagerly anticipating a growth phase”, as the approved Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 allocates 14.4 GW of wind power that needs to be added to the local energy mix from 2022. “This requires government to move swiftly in announcing the next round of... →

Windaba riding winds of digital change

By: Cameron Mackay 2nd October 2020 Owing to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and physical distancing regulations, the tenth yearly Windaba Conference and Exhibition will be hosted as a virtual event on October 26 and 27. The Windaba event brings together exhibitors, industry pioneers and leaders, investors, and power producers. →

Skills demand in wind sector met

By: Cameron Mackay 2nd October 2020 As more wind energy farms are constructed and contribute to employment, demand for the training and retraining of people to work on wind turbines will increase, which has consequently resulted in wind turbines safety training provider AID Renewables’ investing in improving its training processes... →

Software boosts company’s capability in wind energy

By: Cameron Mackay 2nd October 2020 Energy project solutions provider UL has released a beta version of its Wind Resource Assessment Platform (WRAP) software, after the company began development on the wind energy yield assessment software last year. Released to market in June this year, UL renewable energy VP Michael Brower says... →

NAVIGATING WINDY TIMES UL has been increasing its investment in digital solutions for wind energy for several years, as the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend

Wind farms in Northern, Western Cape head for completion

2nd October 2020 Two of major renewable power generation company Lekela Power’s wind farms will take major steps towards completion and to contributing 250 MW of energy to the national power grid before the end of the year. The Perdekraal East Wind Farm will add 110 MW to the grid. It is one of the company’s... →

Renewables in Africa – power is only half the story

2nd October 2020 Energy companies should combine the provision of power with positive economic impacts for the communities where they build their projects, says renewable power generation company Lekela Power CEO Chris Antonopoulos. Lekela’s portfolio includes more than 1 300 MW of wind power projects in Egypt,... →

Transformation through wind energy warranted

4th October 2019 South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP), published in August 2012, contains 14 desired outcomes, providing a blueprint to grow the economy, eliminate poverty and reduce inequality. →

Photo by Bloomberg
THE WINNING SPIN Wind energy contributes greatly to the 2030 target of connecting 20 GW of renewable power to the grid

Atlas pinpoints energy hot spots

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 4th October 2019 With the prospect of wind energy as a viable source of renewable energy in South Africa increasingly on the rise, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) tells Engineering News that areas have been identified in South Africa with significant wind sources through a wind... →

UP IN THE AIR WASA Wind Measurement mast in Alexander Bay

Collaboration leads to advanced AI damage detection

4th October 2019 Swiss rotor blade inspections unmanned aerial vehicle technology pioneering company Sulzer Schmid and artificial intelligence (AI) specialist NNAISENSE have partnered to develop an AI engine to automatically detect rotor blade damages on wind turbines. →

Wind energy untapped vine of job creation

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 4th October 2019 The wind energy industry comprises various subsectors, each with its own degree of job creation potential, Cape Town-based wind farm developer G7 Renewable Energies tells Engineering News. →

FINGER IN THE WIND G7 engineers on site deploying Sonic Detection and Ranging instruments to supplement ongoing wind measurement campaigns

Wind turbine brake maintenance revolutionised with specialised tools

4th October 2019 Lifting and positioning brakes is a sizable challenge in confined spaces, but maintenance is critical to minimising operational downtime, specifically when large wind turbines feature a yaw brake. →

FIX WHAT IS BROKEN Svendborg Brakes’ LBS Yaw Brake Lifting tool allows service teams to carry out Wind Turbine maintenance in-situ

Facilitating Engagement Between Renewable Energy Projects And Communities

4th October 2019 As South Africa’s efforts continue towards installing 17.8GW of renewable energy by 2030, via its Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), the initiative has not been without its pain points for project owners. One of the biggest challenges experienced by... →

Wind energy on the rise in S Africa

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 4th October 2019 Although wind energy is a long way from being a dominant source of energy in South Africa, consulting engineering company Aurecon tells Engineering News that wind is one of the most competitive forms of electricity generation in the country. →

JANICE FOSTER The contribution of wind energy to the power grid is likely to grow

SAWEA CEO bullish about SA wind energy outlook

By: Tracy Hancock 26th October 2018 As forecast, 2018 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the South African energy sector, South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) CEO Brenda Martin tells Engineering News. Bolstering South Africa’s energy sector is much-improved policy certainty, transparent decision-making and public... →

MONEY IN THE WIND Wind power is a significant foreign direct investment contributor and a driver of local socioeconomic growth in South Africa

Industry growth demands maintenance skills

By: Tracy Hancock 26th October 2018 With the growth in wind energy utilities, the demand to install, repair and maintain such facilities in Africa, including South Africa, is on the rise, says Knowledge Pele (KP) Academy head Richard Setati. He tells Engineering News that many reports and commentators attest to the overall growth... →

Klawer awaits PPA signature, while Roggeveld surges ahead

By: Tracy Hancock 26th October 2018 Having received preferred bidder status three years ago, Cape Town-based wind farm developer G7 Renewable Energies’ Klawer wind farm project awaits a power purchase agreement (PPA) signature before undertaking the 18 months of construction needed to add 5 MW of electricity to the national grid. →

KILIAN HAGEMANN A key area of improvement would be greater visibility and certainty of future power procurement, but G7 Renewable Energies is confident that the new Integrated Resource Plan will address this

Wind farm to power local development

By: Tracy Hancock 26th October 2018 The R3.1-billion Perdekraal East Wind Farm, in the Western Cape’s Witzenberg local municipality, has started work on its electrical distribution network, edging closer to not only making an impact on the national grid but also on the economies of surrounding communities. →

Wind energy investors watching S Africa closely

By: Tracy Hancock 26th October 2018 For the last several years, from the wind industry’s perspective, the South African government has done everything it can to discourage investor confidence; however, that has changed with the new government, states Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). →

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