Where Wind Potential Lies in Africa

As IQPC’s Wind Power Development and Implementation conference nears, industry leaders speak out about the continent’s wind market and just where it’s going.

 

As South Africa’s renewable energy feed-in tariff (Refit) continues to keep a lively debate going in regards to its success or potential, Eskom’s chief engineer Riaan Smit told IQPC that South Africa was previously the cheapest producer of electricity in the world. The state-owned utility official said that, “This is also the ‘worst’ market to enter with more expensive renewable energy.” Smit said that the country’s Refit was important in the wind energy sector’s development.

 

In a recent survey conducted by IQPC, 38.46% of respondents chose South Africa as the country leading the way in wind power development in Africa, while 23.08% of respondents chose Egypt. And while many plans throughout the continent are either in the pipeline or under construction, the North African country currently houses the continent’s largest wind farm, the Zafarana. Egypt also plans to have its first privately-owned wind farm by 2013.

 

Leaders in the industry from both South Africa and Egypt will be speaking at IQPC’s Wind Power Development and Implementation conference, taking place in Cairo, Egypt from December 12-15, 2010.

 

"Attending the event is important for investors and bankers to learn how they can attract funds; important for researchers for the high calibre of specialised speakers; important for governmental decision makers and officers as they will be aware of all facilities and initiative policies offered in different countries,” said Dr. Hisham El Agamawy, Energy Advisor, Ministry of State for Environment Affairs.

 

For more information on this topic and conference visit: https://www.windpoweregypt.com

 

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