S-Af: Renewable Energy – Harnessing Africa's Natural Resources

Renewable energy is one of the topical stories of our day. Whether at dinner parties, around the water dispenser at work, or in the media, the issue of energy and alternative fuels shows no sign of abating.

In light of the spate of power outages seen earlier in the year, investors in South Africa have joined the rest of the world in warming to the idea of renewable energy, not only as a viable source of power, but also as a means of cutting carbon emissions.
Investment opportunities in renewable energy have been steadily increasing in South Africa, as the country looks to harness the benefits of a sunny climate and the potential for wind power on the West Coast.

The Western Cape has set out its Sustainable Energy Strategy (SES), which requires an investment of some R8.8bn, to target renewable energy developments, as well as energy efficiency and the reduction of carbon emissions.

The SES has agreed a target to generate 15% of the Western Cape’s electricity through renewable sources, a 15% improvement in overall energy efficiency and a 10% reduction in carbon emissions, by 2014.

While both the Western and Northern Cape provinces have been touted as perfect destinations for utilising wind energy, it is the Western Cape that has gained a head-start with a series of projects already underway including the launch of the country’s first commercial wind farm in Darling, in May 2008.

AllAfrica