South Africa’s principal annual wind energy conference, Windaba, will take place on 2 and 3 November 2016 at Cape Town’s International Convention Centre (CTICC). A wind energy related activity day will be held on the 4th.
The theme for the conference, which attracts delegates and exhibitors from all over the globe, will be ‘Towards 100% Renewables’ and will focus on how to achieve this goal.
“South Africa is blessed with the natural resources and industry resolve to make 100% renewables achievable for our country’s future energy supply”, explains Heather Sonn, Chairperson of the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) which hosts the conference in partnership with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
“Already our wind industry has gone from 8 to more than 500 operational wind turbines in less than 5 years and this energy is supplying more than half a million households*. Combine this with other renewable energy sources and we can make this happen, with the right political will and investment.”
Windaba has undergone a re-brand this year with new logo and website to reflect the successful evolution of South Africa’s premier wind energy event. 2015’s event was the most successful Windaba ever, with over 600 global delegates, 15 sponsors and more than 50 international exhibitors.
Early bird registration for Windaba is now open with discounted rates available. Please visit www.windaba.co.za for further information.
In recognition of the importance of research towards a cleaner and more sustainable production of energy in South Africa for the first time sister academic conference WindAc Africa will run from 31 October – 1 November. More information can be found at www.windac-africa.com
-Ends-
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.
*This calculation is based on household consumption of 6.000 kiloWatt hours per year (supplied by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and an average capacity factor of 35% from the wind turbines (this is a conservative figure as many turbines are performing closer to 40% plus).
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.
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