Western Cape showcases its green power initiatives at African Utility Week

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March 2011 News

Site visits will prove province green in ‘heart and soul’.

African Utility Week delegates will be able to experience first-hand how far the Western Cape has come in developing its own renewable energy resources during site visits which form part of the event which takes place from 15-17 March. The latest developments in solar and wind energy will be showcased during Africa’s largest utility event.

Green heart and soul

Says Claire Volkwyn, project director of African Utility Week: “The Western Cape is a show case for renewable energy in South Africa. African Utility Week again presents a dedicated conference break away detailing the role of renewable energy in the continent’s energy mix. Some 2000 delegates, who come from all over the world, will be able to attend the conference, visit the exhibition but also go on site visits to be able to see in practice how green energy is implemented in the Cape.”

The site visits on 17 March include:

* CPV solar demonstration plant: South Africa's first concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar demonstration plant of 60 kW is supplying the daytime power requirements for the Aquila safari lodge, near Touws River. Besides powering the game reserve, the plant will become a training ground to develop solar skills in the area. The 60 kW array consists of 10 trackers and took about two weeks to install and commission.

* Klipheuwel Wind Energy Facility: The Klipheuwel Wind Energy Facility has a total capaity of 3,16 MW. The electricity generated by the wind facility is fed directly into the regional distribution network. The site forms part of a farm in a rural, agricultural area.

Highlight from the conference programme:

* Case study: The 100-MW Hopefield wind farm – the most advanced large-scale commercial wind farm in South Africa today. Presented by: Richard Gordon, project director, Umoya Energy, South Africa

High-level speakers at African Utility Week

African Utility Week brings together power industry professionals from across the world, African Energy ministers or their representatives from countries such as Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Namibia, Rwanda and DRC as well as the ‘who’s who’ of municipal, utility and government stakeholders who are shaping the future of the industry.

The high-level speaker line-up includes the CEO of Eskom, Brian Dames, the South African minister of Energy, Elizabeth Dipuo Peters, and Prof. Galal Osman, vice president, World Wind Energy Association, Germany

Event dates:

Conference: 15-16 March

Site visits: 17 March

Pre-conference workshops: 14 March

Event location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Event website: www.african-utility-week.com

For media accreditation, assistance and interviews contact Annemarie Roodbol, communications manager, +27 (0)21 700 3558, [email protected]

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