In a show of solidarity towards the industry, the Government’s Independent Power Producer’s (IPP)Office will, for the second year running, endorse Windaba: South Africa’s largest wind energy conference.
Encouraging industry to continue its investment in the country’s renewable energy boom, the IPP Office’s presence and participation evidences that the renewables sector continues apace. The Government remains fully committed to its success, despite Eskom placing doubt over its ongoing commitment to Power Purchase Agreements (buying the energy renewable energy developments generate).
In a show of solidarity towards the industry, the Government’s Independent Power Producer’s (IPP)Office will, for the second year running, endorse Windaba: South Africa’s largest wind energy conference.
Encouraging industry to continue its investment in the country’s renewable energy boom, the IPP Office’s presence and participation evidences that the renewables sector continues apace. The Government remains fully committed to its success, despite Eskom placing doubt over its ongoing commitment to Power Purchase Agreements (buying the energy renewable energy developments generate).
The announcement of the IPP Office’s involvement in Windaba adds conviction to the Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s recent affirmation that South Africa is continuing to pursue a diversified energy mix, a key part of which includes projects funded by Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
A prestigious list of key international wind turbine manufacturers are also sponsoring Windaba, which is run by trade association the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), highlighting their confidence in the market.
Enercon’s Country Sales Manager Allan Palmer commented: “Once again, we are proud to be supporting Windaba in 2016 and it will be our third attendance since beginning our involvement in the South African onshore wind energy market. ENERCON is committed to South Africa and we always serve our markets for the long term. We see a similar long term vision from the Department of Energy and welcome their stated commitment to the procurement of significant renewable energy capacity up to 2030. With increasing competition under the REIPPPP and associated tighter margins, we recognise the strong necessity from IPPs for high certainty of investment, low lifetime risks and long-term value for money.”
Other sponsors of Windaba include: Nordex, Acciona, Goldwind, Siemens, Vestas, General Electric South Africa, Mainstream Renewable Power and V-Bar.
SAWEA’s CEO Johan van den Berg explained that the industry was confident in its future, despite recent setbacks: “We are confident that South Africa will build a 30 000 MegaWatt wind industry in the next 30 years irrespective of short term development. If we want to optimise job creation, manufacturing and local content, this expansion needs to be steady and well communicated. Windaba will offer the ideal forum for industry members to discuss how to build the most effective future for the wind energy sector.”
Windaba will run from 2-4 November and will form part of Wind Energy Week which also includes an inaugural academic conference for the sector named ‘WindAc-Africa’ (31 October to 1 November) and a community outreach day which will offer members of the wind energy industry to enhance the community of Atlantis in the Western Cape in a number of ways (4 November).
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Editor’s notes:
For further information, please contact: Jo Reeves, jo@sawea.co.za or admin@sawea.org.za or call +27 (0) 11 2140664.
About SAWEA
SAWEA is a non-profit, industry organisation representing the wind industry in South Africa. Its members include both national and international entities active in the entire wind energy supply chain. Its aim is to promote the sustainable use of commercial wind energy in South Africa; to contribute knowledge and human resources to the streamlining of the policy and regulatory framework for wind in SA; to facilitate synergy between the growth of the industry and the achievement of the broader socio-economic aims of Government (including training, job creation and localisation); to disseminate information; to act as a focal point for discussion between members, government, the media and the public. www.sawea.org.za
Windaba 2016
Windaba is the annual, official wind industry event hosted by the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) in partnership with Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). The annual conference and exhibition will take place on 2-3 November 2016, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. For further information, please visit www.windaba.co.za
WindAc-Africa
In its inaugural year, WindAc-Africa is positioned to become the leading academic wind conference on the Continent. The event, which will be held at the South African Renewable Technology Centre (SARETEC) in Cape Town, aims to be the platform for an international high-quality academic exchange, which will cover the entire wind-power value chain from wind resource to policy making for wind energy. An impressive international steering committee has been established to develop the programme content. For the latest information on the programme visit: www.windac-africa.com