WindAc Africa 2022, kicked-off its fifth instalment today, with a key note address delivered by Henk Volschenk, Operations Manager at the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC), a key stakeholder in South Africa’s wind energy sector. This year’s conference offers a special programme for high potential young people from universities across the country.

As Africa’s premier academic exchange platform, renewable energy researchers and other leading minds have once again gathered to showcase their work. 

This annual event distinguishes the fundamental role that wind energy research and technology development plays in the sector, as it leads the way for advancement and progress, which is especially essential at a time that the country looks to renewables to meet the growing demand for clean energy supply. 

It needs to be recognised that the renewable energy sector looks to the academic community to unpack and analyse investment capital, skills availability, land availability, grid access, operational excellency, and investment in local supply chain development, all of which play a critical role in ensuring that the industry will successfully deliver.

Hosted by the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), this fifth international academic wind energy conference offers a special programme for high potential young people from universities across the country, and hopes to welcome 40 sponsored students at this year’s event.

The conference has gathered key stakeholders including professionals, policymakers, academics, government representatives and civil society.  It aims to facilitate strengthened partnerships for the on-the-ground implementation of renewable energy projects, to influence energy policy, and provide a framework to aid strategic decision-making.

WindAc Africa is hosted over three days, 11 to 13 October 2022, the first day at SARETEC, from which delegates will be visiting the provinces West Coast wind project, Umoya Energy Wind Farm, and the remaining two days at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, alongside the Windaba conference.  As a collaborative networking environment, dialogue is stimulated between experienced researchers, motivated students and members of the wind industry. Historically, attendees from South Africa, USA, Denmark, Germany, UK and France and students from leading South African universities have participated.

The 2022 programme covers technical, socioeconomic, policy, and environmental aspects of the wind industry, emphasising academic interaction across disciplines.

Speakers and presenters are judiciously selected to ensure the best content drives the conversation, whilst the programme is based on papers selected through rigorous peer review and final selection by a scientific advisory panel.