S12 ATR Sep 2013 Report FA GC GA GE_Layout 1 22/08/2013 16:42 Page 52
POWER
Renewables
South Africa's west coast wind power Ongoing development of the Sere wind power plant in Vredendal, in SA's Western Cape province
S
iemens Energy is working on new infrastructure for an onshore wind power order for the Sere wind power plant on the west coast of South Africa, following the second of two wind power orders for Siemens from South Africa. The Sere project is a flagship project for the customer Eskom, which is one of the world's largest utilities. The scope of supply includes the delivery and installation of 46 wind turbines of the type SWT-2.3-108, with an output of 2.3 Megawatts (MW), a rotor diameter of 108m on 115m towers each. The deal also includes a five-year-service agreement. Installation of the wind turbines is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2013, with the start of operations expected during first half of 2014.
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African Review of Business and Technology - September 2013
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Making the most of wind "South Africa has outstanding conditions for the utilisation of wind energy and has set up a remarkable renewable energy programme with the Independent Power Producer Procurement Program. We are proud to contribute to the development of wind power in South Africa with our technology, and especially proud that Eskom has chosen to rely on us for their first large project," said Felix Ferlemann, CEO of the wind power division in Siemens Energy. The first wind power order from South Africa was awarded to Siemens by Mainstream Renewable Power Limited, Globeleq, Thebe Investments, Enzani and Usizo for the Jeffrey's Bay onshore wind power plant with a total capacity of 138MW. There are many benefits. Wind is a sustainable resource and, as a primary energy source, is free. Wind is also a clean form of energy without emissions or waste products. And there are growing numbers of energy users prepared to pay for the more expensive electricity generated from renewable sources. The technology developed for this project may in future allow for the energy to be stored for use when required - for example, at peak periods. However, capital costs are high and the production cost per kWh is higher than the cheap electricity currently produced by Eskom’s coalfired power stations. Units are of small capacity (25 to 2 000kW) and it would take hundreds of wind turbines to replace a single thermal unit (currently ranging between 200-600MW). And wind resources are erratic and can be used only at certain speeds. While it is a clean source of energy, the environmental impacts of wind energy can include noise, visual pollution and negative impacts on birdlife The Sere Wind Farm may not be the cheapest optionfor power generation in South Africa - but it contributes significantly to the nation’s long-term renewable energy and CO2 mitigation strategy, as set out in SA’s Power Sector Integrated Resource Plan 2010-2030. ■ www.africanreview.com