Wind Power News: Africa
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Over 800 birds killed after colliding with turbines during four year period-study
Over 800 birds were killed after colliding with turbines at 20 wind energy facilities (WEFs) in South Africa between 2014 and 2018, a new study has revealed. The toll includes species of conservation concern such as endangered Cape Vultures and Black Harriers, both endemic to southern Africa. The paper, On a collision course? The large diversity of birds killed by wind turbines in South Africa was published in Ostrich, the journal of African Ornithology, last week by the Fitzpatrick Institute . . . Complete story »
Hundreds of birds killed by wind turbines
More than 800 birds were killed after colliding with turbines at 20 wind energy facilities (WEFs) in South Africa between 2014 and 2018, a new study has revealed. The toll includes species of conservation concern such as endangered Cape vultures and black harriers, both endemic to southern Africa. The paper, “On a collision course? The large diversity of birds killed by wind turbines in South Africa”, was published in Ostrich, the journal of African Ornithology, last week by the Fitzpatrick . . . Complete story »
How Kenya paid Sh7bn for ‘non-existent’ power
The government paid over Sh7 billion in penalties to investors behind Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) generation plant for electricity that did not reach Kenyans, in what could be the latest mega scandal. This came up as MPs approved the Supplementary Budget III on June 30. The penalties, according to the MPs, are due to delayed completion of the Sh28.9 billion 430-kilometre high voltage power line from Lake Turkana Wind turbines to Suswa sub-station in Narok County, which is the . . . Complete story »
Breezy proposal for mothballed Saldanha Steel
The proposed Boulders wind farm will blight one of the most spectacular parts of the West Coast, so why not move it to a site that is already environmentally compromised and degraded – like ArcelorMittal’s now mothballed Saldanha Steel plant? The out-of-the-box suggestion to move a proposed wind project to a shut-down steel plant in Saldanha Bay comes from acclaimed wildlife photographer and environmental author, Peter Pickford, on behalf of more than 1,200 members of three property-owning associations objecting to . . . Complete story »
Giant turbine farm set to harvest West Coast wind
Appeals against plans for a huge new wind farm on the West Coast have been dismissed by environment minister Barbara Creecy, paving the way for the addition of up to 140 megawatts of renewable energy into the national grid. This is the Juno Wind Energy Facility, planned for a farm in the West Coast District Municipality area about five kilometres from the coast. It will consist of up to 49 turbines, some of which will stand nearly 180m high, and . . . Complete story »
US firm loses battle for Sh21b Lamu wind farm
US energy firm Cordisons International has lost an 11-year battle to put up a Sh21 billion wind power farm in Lamu County. The Supreme Court last week threw out the appeal by Cordisons that sought to compel the National Land Commission (NLC) to issue the firm with a leasehold to 11,000 acres of land in Kiongwe, Lamu County to build a wind farm. In its ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the decision made by the Court of Appeal in 2017 . . . Complete story »
Kenya’s ambitious wind turbines battle community land crosswinds
The tussle in Kenya’s high court between Marsabit County residents and the government over the land used for Africa’s biggest wind farm continues to threaten stability in the area. The project, which the government regards as its ambition for clean and renewable energy and a symbol of its Vision 2030, was inaugurated by President Uhuru Kenyatta in July 2019. It comprises 365 wind turbine generators, each with a capacity of 850 kW. The total wind farm capacity is 310 MW. Five . . . Complete story »
Wind farm says massive new rival could cost it “hundreds of millions” in lost energy
An existing wind farm is crying foul after the government last month gave the conditional go-ahead for a massive new wind farm project on an adjoining property on the West Coast Peninsula near Vredenburg. The West Coast One wind farm, that has been operating since 2015, says the huge turbines of the recently approved Boulders Wind Energy Facility will be situated immediately upwind of its own slightly smaller turbines and will deplete its access to the wind resource because of . . . Complete story »
Environmental activists threaten court action over planned wind farm in the Cape West Coast
Environmental activists and property owners along the Cape West Coast are threatening court action over the planned Boulders Wind Farm. Government approved in principle, the 45-turbine wind farm project near Paternoster, St Helena Bay and Vredenburg. It says the generation of 144 MW of electricity will result in significant socio-economic benefits at national, local and community level. However, those opposed to the project are concerned about its impact on the environment, tourism and job creation in the West Coast region. Renowned . . . Complete story »
Residents oppose approval of Cape wind farm
A project that has been met with resistance from many Western Cape residents has officially been approved by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF). The Boulders wind farm project in the Paternoster area on the West Coast will see some 45 turbines of 160-metres-tall erected, which may be a step towards renewable energy the country and the province could do with. However, many members of the public, as well as environmental activists, are opposed to the project, specifically . . . Complete story »
