Academic wind energy conference being held in parallel with industry conference

5th October 2023 By: Rebecca Campbell - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Running in parallel with the Windaba 2023 conference is WindAc Africa 2023, an academic conference focused on wind power. Hosted by the South African Wind Energy Association, WindAc 2023 is also being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

“Attracting over 70 delegates, WindAc Africa once again includes a special programme for high potential young people from universities across the country, demonstrating a commitment to the next generation,” highlighted SAWEA CEO Niveshen Govender. “A trip to a close-by Western Cape wind farm as well as the nearby renewable energy training facility, is always a drawcard for attending students, as it helps to put the impressive wind power technology into perspective.”

Twenty of the students taking part have been sponsored to attend WindAc by the Danish Embassy in South Africa. Denmark is a leading pioneer of wind power, and the Danish Embassy is also the headline sponsor of WindAc Africa 2023.

The conference is covering a wide range of topics. These include technical, environmental, socioeconomic and policy issues. Academically, it seeks to promote interdisciplinary exchanges and research. It also seeks to help create a path to a successful energy transition, using a larger proportion of renewable energy sources.

WindAc Africa is the pre-eminent academic conference on wind energy in Africa. It also seeks to become the leading sponsorship opportunities platform for leading wind energy students from research institutions from across Southern Africa. The conference also seeks to deepen knowledge of wind power generation across Africa and the world, and to reinforce cooperation between South African universities and the wind power industry.

“The academic community in South Africa and in many parts of the globe, is being acknowledged for the role that it plays in clarifying and scrutinizing data and evidence across a myriad of disciplines, to support the success of the industry,” affirmed SAWEA in its statement.