Review of the strategic wind energy activities in South Africa

Via its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Electricity, the South African Government has set targets to generate electricity from a range of technologies including wind energy technology. The South African Wind Energy Technology Programme (SAWEP) Phase 1 aims to achieve two key strategic outputs that will guide South Africa on wind energy development. One of these outputs is the Wind Atlas for South Africa (WASA). The other output is the development of a Wind Energy Industrial Strategy for South Africa. Two pilot hybrid wind/PV mini-grid energy systems have been implemented in the rural areas of South Africa. These mini-grids were implemented to provide the learning and experience for wind and other forms of renewable energy based systems to compliment the grid connected electrification programme. This paper provides a strategic review of wind energy activities in South Africa based on the strategic projects of SAWEP Phase 1, including projects that have a wind energy component such as the hybrid mini-grid energy systems and the two large grid connected projects that are currently in operation in South Africa.