South Africa to Build 12 New Wind Farms to Replace Coal Stations by 2030

The 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) puts aside increased allocations for wind power in the coming years – which will result in the renewable energy source becoming a greater part of the country’s energy grid. Plans for the construction and activation of the wind farms across the country are currently underway, writes My Broadband.

The goal is, by 2030, to have 14,4GW of South Africa’s energy mix to be supplied by wind power, this is equal to 18% of the total energy required by the country. To reach this goal, South Africa will have to add 1.6GW of wind energy to the grid every year, says South African Wind Energy Association CEO, Ntombifuthi Ntuli.

“On average, 640 steel towers and 1920 individual blades will need to be constructed and installed each year from 2022 until 2030 to meet the allocation of 1.6GW per year.”

“This translates to a total of about 5,700 new turbines by 2030,” Ntuli concludes.

Within the next few months, South Africans can expect 12 new wind farms to begin being constructed across the country, putting much-needed power into the constrained and crippled grid. The issue comes in when discussing what happens after that.

“However, the industry needs further procurement to ensure that the next round of wind farms can begin construction in order to deliver in line with the country’s resource plan.”

“Most recently, the President’s SONA address gave a clear nod to the sector, but in order to deliver, a clear timeline that includes a Ministerial Determination is needed to kick-start next round of wind farms,” she said.

While these wind farms are being built across the country, 12 coal power plants will be decommissioned with the wind farms replacing them all over the country in the next 10 years.

South Africa is a country with boundless wind energy potential. “South Africa offers exceptional wind resource potential throughout most of the country, but particularly along our extended 3,000 km coastline,” Ntuli said.

The majority of wind farms current active, of which the new 12 farms will join, are all situated in the Western, Eastern or Northern Capes.

Edited by Luis Monzon

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