Belgium’s largest renewable-energy producer, Electrawinds Belgium, is planning to build a R1,2-billion wind farm in the Coega industrial development zone (IDZ), in the Eastern Cape.

The company is currently finalising a feasibility study for setting up the commercial wind farm.

The wind farm project will see about 25 wind turbines, of 2,3 MW each, being built in the Coega IDZ.

The project will be fully operational by 2011, but Electrawinds plans to have the first turbine in place by May next year – before the start of the FIFA World Cup.

Electrawinds has appointed the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to conduct the environmental-assessment study for the project.

“The single wind turbine and wind measuring mast in phase one require that a basic assessment be undertaken, with this process having commenced in August,” says CSIR 
environmental assistant Paul Lochner.

Energy Minister Dipuo Peters recently said that South Africa sought to commission 
400 MW of wind power by independent power producers within the next three years.

The country has a target of installing 
10 000 GWh of renewable-energy capacity by 2013.

Renewable-Energy Skills Pool


Meanwhile, Electrawinds has announced that it will offer educational scholarships to top local students interested in furthering their studies in renewable energy.

“We want to invest in both turbines and 
people. We want to give young people in the 
region a chance at the right education so that, in time, they will be able to monitor our projects in South Africa,” says Electrawinds business development director Jan Dewulf.

He says that Electrawinds will fully manage the training programme and will also be responsible for selecting the students, in consultation with the Coega Development Coporation.

These students will be referred to South African universities that offer suitable programmes and, for those who wish to specialise further, there is a postgraduate programme offered in Europe.

Emil Unger, who represents Electrawinds in South Africa, says that the implementation of the education programme will ensure that the country has a pool from which to draw qualified renewable-energy specialists, something that currently does not exist.

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