Renewable Energy | Wind

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Advertise on this page? Click Here to Learn More

Wind News

Power and utilities drone market worth more than $9bn

By: Donna Slater 24th November 2017 The international drone market comprising solutions that use drones for the power and utilities industries is worth as much as $9.46-billion a year, according to a report published by professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). →

Eskom’s ‘death spiral’ under the microscope

By: Terence Creamer 21st November 2017 A major topic of discussion during recent public hearings into Eskom’s 2018/19 revenue application, was whether a further double-digit tariff hike could trigger a “utility death spiral”, whereby rising tariffs and utility costs spark an exodus of energy-intensive customers from the network,... →

Investment in solar has overtaken coal globally, says IEA

By: Kim Cloete 16th November 2017 Breaking all-time records, renewables currently account for two thirds of global net capacity additions, according to one of several reports about how renewable energy is powering ahead. The trend is set to continue. “All renewables will grow at double the velocity of fossil fuels within the next... →

Global wind power continues to propel forward in 2017

By: Kim Cloete 16th November 2017 China is surging ahead in wind power, blowing away the US – the world’s second-largest wind power market – by a long margin, while African countries are making more inroads despite facing challenges, delegates attending the yearly Windaba conference and exhibition, in Cape Town, have heard.... →

Wind energy industry optimistic despite frustrations

By: Kim Cloete 15th November 2017 The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) is confident that the tide will turn and that Eskom will soon, and finally, sign the outstanding power purchase agreements (PPAs) that have delayed the renewable energy industry for the past two years. SAWEA chairperson Mark Pickering outlined the... →

Solar to power ahead as it emerges as ‘cheapest’ source of generation

By: Terence Creamer 14th November 2017 The World Energy Outlook 2017, released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in London on Tuesday, presents a base case scenario that foresees the world’s growing energy needs being met increasingly by renewables and natural gas over the coming 25 years, as “coal strikes out” and nuclear’s... →

Report outlines vision for a million South African ‘climate jobs’

By: Terence Creamer 2nd November 2017 A new report has been released in an effort to mobilise South Africans behind the vision of creating a million ‘climate jobs’ as part of the country’s response to the threat posed by climate change. Published by the Alternative Information and Development Centre, the 60-page report has been... →

Loeriesfontein Wind Farm connected to grid

27th October 2017 Loeriesfontein Wind Farm as well as Khobab Wind Farm, both located in the Northern Cape, are now connected to State-owned power utility Eskom’s grid, through Eskom’s Helios substation and the commissioning of wind turbines has started. “We energised the wind farm substations with Eskom... →

STATE CONNECTIONS Loeriesfontein and Khobab should start supplying electricity to the national grid by early December, in the meantime the developers continue to work closely with Eskom

Conference aims to strengthen cross-border relations

By: Nadine James 27th October 2017 The prospects for wind power within and beyond the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) will be discussed at this year’s Windaba conference and exhibition, exploring opportunities outside South Africa’s borders, and consider ways of establishing cross-border... →

ANSWERS IN THE WIND The Windaba programme has been designed to be relevant regardless of whether the mid-term outlook is good or uncertain

Proper lubrication directly correlates with safety

27th October 2017 Lubrication can have a big impact on the safety of wind turbine operations by reducing operational safety risk at an operation during equipment servicing and maintenance, says oil company ExxonMobil Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME) SHC brand adviser Rainer Lange. He explains that, inspecting... →

GREASE THE SKIDS Reducing human-machine interaction requires having a robust lubrication programme that prevents unnecessary downtime and extends the service intervals of wind turbine equipment

Photo by Bloomberg
GREASE THE SKIDS Reducing human-machine interaction requires having a robust lubrication programme that prevents unnecessary downtime and extends the service intervals of wind turbine equipment

Rotor blade manufacturing facility officially opens in Tangier

27th October 2017 Wind turbine components manufacturer Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) officially inaugurated its new rotor blade factory in Tangier, Morocco, earlier this month, at an event chaired by Moroccan Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy, Moulay Hafid El Alamy, and Siemens... →

Wind energy sector still attractive to investors

By: Nadine James 27th October 2017 Shorter fabrication time, lower costs for parts, and increased repeatability and uniformity have led to impressive improvements in the wind energy sector, says multidisciplinary engineering consultancy WSP Africa power director Dinesh Buldoo. “For instance, there is significant focus on advanced... →

DINESH BULDOO WSP Africa states that several wind projects have progressed through the planning pipeline, and the industry continues to generate significant investor and developer interest

Wind training facility increases course offering

By: Nadine James 27th October 2017 Accredited wind energy training facility the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) has become a Global Wind Organisation- (GWO-) certified training facility, and can now offer the GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) and Basic Technical Training (BTT) qualifications to wind... →

NAIM RASSOOL The formal wind turbine service technician qualification programme is offered every six months

SA weighs market opportunities as utility-scale battery storage prospects improve

By: Mia Breytenbach 13th October 2017 Following the release of an energy storage techno-economic study ‘The South Africa Energy Storage Technology and Market Assessment’, advocating that South Africa requires market preparation to take advantage of growth opportunities in the stationary and mobility value chains of energy storage,... →

Minister offers snapshot of renewables generation

By: Terence Creamer 6th October 2017 Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi reports that, as at the end of July, the combined installed generation capacity of renewable-energy independent power producers (IPPs) stood at more than 3 200 MW across 58 sites. In a reply to a Parliamentary question posed by Economic Freedom Fighters MP... →

Opinion: South Africa’s coal mining sector could shrink by 46%

6th October 2017 In this opinion article, independent economic risk consultant Rob Jeffrey argues that the mining industry and coal industry need to fight for their very future otherwise all is lost. Few people realise that future economic, political and social prosperity are at currently stake. Decisions made in... →

Rob Jeffrey

Turbine installations at wind project completed ahead of schedule

By: Mia Breytenbach 29th September 2017 Khobab Wind Farm, in the Northern Cape has completed all 61 wind turbine installations, ahead of schedule this month. Further, Khobab, together with its adjacent wind farm, the Loeriesfontein Wind Farm, in the Hantam municipality, in the Northern Cape province, have achieved more than two-million... →

SOARING CONSTRUCTION The 100-m-tall Siemens wind turbines, which allow for optimum energy production, take between one and three days to construct, assuming favourable weather

AHI changes name to SBI

By: Anine Kilian 26th September 2017 Members of the Afrikaanse handelsinstituut (AHI) have adopted a new memorandum of incorporation and a new name, the Small Business Institute (SBI). “We would be proud if, over time, SBI becomes synonymous with credible research and public positions on all matters of interest to small business.... →

New study points to 90% renewables mix being least cost by 2050

By: Terence Creamer 15th September 2017 New analysis conducted using updated cost assumptions for solar photovoltaic (PV), onshore wind and batteries shows that the share of renewable energy in an electricity mix that would also be the least cost for South Africa could grow to above 90% by 2050. Such a portfolio, the study indicates,... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Enertrag corporate business development head Dr Tobias Bischof-Niemz

Renewables’ share of global energy market to rise, system stability central

By: Anine Kilian 14th September 2017 The world’s energy system will decarbonise over the next three decades, says advisory services and risk management company DNV GL Africa business manager Robert O’Keefe. Unpacking DNV GL’s ‘Energy Transition Outlook 2017’ report at the Nordic Energy Days conference, in Pretoria, on Thursday, he... →

Caution creeps in as renewables industry digests implications of 77c/kWh tariff cap

By: Terence Creamer 4th September 2017 South Africa’s solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind industry bodies have added a degree of caution to their initial positive reactions to an announcement by Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi regarding the signing of power purchase agreements (PPAs) for 26 renewable-energy projects that have been on... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi (in the centre) at the September 1 renewables IPP announcement in Pretoria

Kubayi sets 77c/kWh price cap and October deadline for signing of 26 renewables projects

By: Terence Creamer 1st September 2017 Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi opened the window on Friday for the signing of contracts for 26 renewable-energy independent power producer (IPP) projects that have been on hold since 2015 when Eskom indicated it was no longer willing to enter into further power purchase agreements (PPAs), owing... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi

Uncertain power price path heightening grid-defection risk, EIUG warns

By: Terence Creamer 31st August 2017 Energy Intensive Users Group of Southern Africa’s (EIUG’s) Piet Van Staden has expressed serious anxiety about the near-term sustainability of South Africa’s electricity industry in light of the prospect of yet more tariffs hikes, which would further damage industrial demand and, in turn, trigger... →

Managing the socioeconomic impacts of SA’s lower-carbon economy transition

30th August 2017 In this opinion piece, Jarredine Morris argues that it is important that the socioeconomic impacts, including the impact on employment, are assessed as South Africa transitions to a lower-carbon electricity sector →

Jarredine Morris

Zambia to get first wind power plant

By: African News Agency 24th August 2017 The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has approved a $1.05-million grant to support a feasibility study for Zambia’s first wind power plant. The funding was awarded to renewable power project developer, Access Power and its strategic partner, EREN Renewable Energy (EREN RE),... →

Wind body aims to use mentoring scheme to support gender transformation

By: Mia Breytenbach 18th August 2017 The South African Wind Energy Association (Sawea) has launched a programme to connect leading women in the energy sector with senior students at South African universities and young professionals currently entering the energy sector. The WindAc Africa Mentoring Programme seeks to promote the... →

GROWING ENERGY The WindAc Africa Mentoring Programme moves to specifically grow future energy leaders within the wind sector

Moves to fast-track regulation could ignite energy efficiency sector

By: Mia Breytenbach 28th July 2017 As businesses move to become more self-reliant and decrease their exposure to electricity price volatility, government is also moving ahead with policy support for energy efficiency initiatives in homes, business and industry, says Pan-African law firm Bowmans public law and regulatory head and... →

EFFICIENCY INCENTIVE
A range of initiatives in the energy sector that promote energy efficiency include an income tax incentive for those installing renewable-energy generation

Photo by Bloomberg
EFFICIENCY INCENTIVE A range of initiatives in the energy sector that promote energy efficiency include an income tax incentive for those installing renewable-energy generation

Africa’s energy future lies in solar energy, says CEO

By: Anine Kilian 19th July 2017 The future of Africa’s energy sector must rest in solar power if it is going to overcome the obstacles it currently faces, according to Zimbabwe-based renewable energy company Samansco CEO Nyasha Bamhare. Addressing delegates at the PowerGen Africa conference, which is taking place in Sandton... →

Brown acknowledges cost competitiveness of renewables as she calls for deal that goes ‘beyond price’

By: Terence Creamer 18th July 2017 Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown, who in June criticised the high cost of renewable energy, offered a tacit acknowledgement on Tuesday of the growing competitiveness of solar and wind, while calling for a long-term deal with the renewable-energy sector to avoid job losses in the energy... →

Temporary mobile transformer helps Loeriesfontein connect to the grid

By: Samantha Herbst 18th July 2017 The Northern Cape-based Loeriesfontein Wind Farm has been making use of a mobile transformer to allow for an early connection to the grid for the commissioning of the turbines – a temporary solution until the wind farm can connect to the Helios substation, which is the permanent grid connection.... →

Opinion: Hybrid energy solutions can boost viability of African mines

18th July 2017 In this opinion article, juwi Renewable Energies MD Greg Austin reflects on prospects in Africa for bilateral power purchase agreements for both grid-connected and behind-the-meter hybrid energy solutions →

juwi Renewable Energies MD Greg Austin

Black-led energy investment firm encouraged by moves to restore IPP policy certainty

By: Terence Creamer 17th July 2017 The head of a black-managed and led JSE-listed energy investment company says he is encouraged by the framework outlined by Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba for re-establishing policy certainty for the electricity sector and for independent power producers (IPPs). IPPs have been left in limbo since... →

Hulisani CEO Marubini Raphulu

Event to facilitate meaningful and relevant debate

By: Robyn Wilkinson 14th July 2017 The POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa advisory board has gone to great lengths to ensure that this year’s conference programme is tailored to meaningfully address the issues most relevant to Africa’s power generation sector and supported by a showcase of suppliers who can practically assist in... →

PLOTTING FUTURE PATHS
Creative thinking is needed to devise a representative power-generation portfolio that leverages all the options available

Photo by Bloomberg
PLOTTING FUTURE PATHS Creative thinking is needed to devise a representative power-generation portfolio that leverages all the options available

Energy storage solutions to be leveraged in South Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 14th July 2017 The decreasing cost of energy storage solutions presents many opportunities for South Africa to manage the key issue of localised peak load power generation more efficiently, says green energy solutions provider Freedom Won cofounder and director Antony English. →

ANTONY ENGLISH AND LIZETTE KRIEL The co-founders of Freedom Won are confident that demand for energy storage will continue to grow in South Africa in the long-term

Finalisation of ‘lowest cost’ IRP included in growth action plan

By: Terence Creamer 13th July 2017 The finalisation of the “lowest cost” Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for electricity has been included in a list of energy-related interventions unveiled by Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba as part of ‘Government’s Inclusive Growth Action Plan’ published on Thursday. Likewise, the National Treasury... →

Competition aims to unearth African energy startups

By: Creamer Media Reporter 11th July 2017 A competition aimed at identifying innovative startups in the field of electricity access in Africa has been launched, following an agreement between energy multinational Enel and Swiss-based Seedstars World, which facilitates startup competitions in more that 75 countries. Dubbed the ‘Africa... →

Clean energy’s global investment share grew to record 43% in 2016

By: Terence Creamer 11th July 2017 The share of clean-energy spending rose to a record 43% of total energy-related investment in 2016, the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) yearly World Energy Investment report shows. Global energy investment fell by 12% to $1.7-trillion last year, the second consecutive year of decline.... →

Company Post

Rooftop and Large Installations

All your renewable energy components

more

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe