Wind Sector Highlights Wind Energy Achievements This Global Wind Day

Press Release: Wind energy continues to lead the energy transition from a fossil-fuel-based economy to a low-carbon renewable energy future in South Africa, with an installed capacity of 3442MW and generating more than 11,000 GWh annually through 34 operational wind farms. 

With recent adverse weather conditions increasing electricity demand, wind technology has played a critical role in averting load shedding, generating almost 2,000 MW of much needed power at its peak during the first week of June 2024, which is equivalent to mitigating 2 stages of load shedding. Through wind, an average of 3.6 million households are powered annually.

“Having contributed 11,576 GWhs to the national grid in the 2023/2024 financial year, wind energy has demonstrated its ability to provide consistent and reliable power to the grid, making it an essential element of the country’s energy mix,” says SAWEA Chief Communications Officer, Morongoa Ramaboa.

This Global Wind Day, the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) celebrates the sector’s achievements while advocating for the acceleration to a low-carbon future through the prioritisation of wind technology in South Africa’s energy planning. Backed by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Global Wind Day aims to promote wind as a clean, renewable energy resource and highlight its power and possibilities for a clean energy transition. 

Through advocacy and policy reform, the wind industry in South Africa contributes significantly to South Africa’s renewable energy value chain as a more cost-effective technology. The sector also presents market opportunities such as industrialisation, local manufacturing of components, skills development and employment opportunities – critical to South Africa’s economy.

Wind Energy and Community Engagement

Community engagement and collaboration are critical to the success of renewable energy deployment. According to an IPP Office Focus on Wind Report 2022, the wind energy sector invested more than R 898m in socio-economic development initiatives by 2022, thereby fostering public and community support for wind energy. 

To further capacitate the industry, SAWEA developed and launched a Community Engagement Handbook in 2023. The handbook provides standard operating procedures on the route to be followed by Economic Development (ED) professionals in seeking involvement in the decision-making processes that have an impact on communities and ongoing management of community relations in the life of the project (from the pre-bidding phase/conception, construction, and operations). They promote consultation and involvement of the IPPO (Independent Power Producer Office) in the resolution to continuously engage the community throughout operations in order to support our members who seek to support the communities they operate in.

“Community engagement is important as it engenders trust, ensures transparency and aligns the interests of developers with those of local stakeholders. By actively involving communities, we can address concerns, share benefits and create a sense of ownership, ultimately leading to more sustainable and widely accepted energy solutions,” adds Ramaboa.

Ramaboa says Global Wind Day is also a reminder that accelerating the shift to renewable energy technologies is becoming increasingly urgent due to the effects of climate change. “If we are to protect livelihoods, create more jobs, 3x Renewables by 2030 and meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, we need to act now and collaborate with communities to create a sustainable future for all, ” he concludes.

For media enquiries, please contact SAWEA at:

Morongoa Ramaboa

Chief Communications Officer

morongo@sawea.co.za

+27 83 465 5118

About SAWEA

Founded in 1998, the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) stands as a leading advocate for the wind energy sector in South Africa. As a non-profit organisation, SAWEA promotes the advancement of sustainable energy practices, policies, and investment in South Africa, while advocating for socio-economic development and energy transformation through wind power.

 SAWEA is dedicated to fulfilling its purpose as a dynamic force within the wind industry with a primary focus on supporting its members and advancing the integration of wind energy onto the grid.  Central to SAWEA's strategic priorities is the active engagement of members on industry matters and the strategic aligning with stakeholders for focused collaboration to foster a just energy transition in South Africa.

To learn more, kindly visit: https://sawea.org.za/