South Africa launched its first verified wind atlas which maps out potential hotspots as a tool for wind farm developers as the coal hungry country pushes toward renewable energy.
The atlas models the wind climate in three coastal provinces, which is backed up by measured data from 10 masts which can be used for further studies to investigate if a location is viable for turbines.
Deputy energy minister Barbara Thompson said that "This is an opportunity for investors this is an opportunity for them to invest in our green economy."
South Africa wants renewable energy to make up 42 per cent of all new power projects as it aims to cut its overwhelming coal reliance, from 90 per cent to 65% of the power supply by 2030, with major investments expected in nuclear and renewables.
Wind energy is vastly undeveloped in South Africa and the wind atlas project cost ZAR 22 million (USD 2.9 million), funded by the UN Development Program and the Danish embassy.
Jens Carsten Hansen wind expert from the Technical University of Denmark said that "There's a good potential in vast areas of South Africa. It is totally untapped."
