APPLICATION OF WIND ENERGY IN AFRICA: POTENTIAL, OPPORTUNITIES& CHALLENGES

Shuhui Yang, Tianqi Wu, Xiang Sun, Yue Wang, the ZJU-UoE Institute

INTRODUCTION ADVANTAGES OF WIND ENERGY3 CHALLENGES

As a clean and sustainable energy, wind energy has become an
important part of the strategy of sustainable development in many a. Wind energy is clean and environmentally friendly.
a. Costly expense & incomplete legal system
countries. Though Africa has high potential for wind energy, wind Different from fossil fuels, it won’t produce harmful
Due to technical limitations, the installation cost of wind-power
energy is still at a relatively low status and needs further pollutants like SO2.
turbines is still relatively high for some economically backward
development1. Wind turbines have low global warming potential with little
African countries6. Worse still, many African countries also don’t
CO2 emission.
have an intact legal system for supporting development of wind
Given the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal to ensure access to
farms.
affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all2,
the topic of application of wind energy in Africa is pertinent.
b. Excessive noise & bird killings
b. Wind energy is sustainable.
Acoustic septum that insulate big noise doesn’t always work well
This poster will discuss the advantage, potential and The wind supply is abundant and renewable.
when the turbine is operating. Thus, as for humans, long-term
developmental opportunities of wind energy in Africa, consider the Wind energy can be converted into electric energy for
exposure to the excessive noise may negatively interfere with our
challenges of applying wind energy, explore available solutions and better utilization, storage and transportation.
daily life. Additionally, wind-mill generators may have detrimental
call for joint efforts to achieve a more efficient application.
effects on both animals and plants of the ecosystem. Once caught
by fast-rotating blades, birds are always destined to death3.
c. Wind energy resource is cost-effective.
As a domestic energy source, wind doesn’t need import.
c. Restriction of weather conditions
Powerful wind exists in some areas of Africa like Kenya and South
Africa, whereas in other areas of Africa, intermittent wind may not be
d. Wind energy creates jobs.
powerful or frequent enough to generate electricity stably.
Wind sector can provide jobs, for example, wind turbine
POTENTIAL& technicians.
DEVELOPMENTAL OPPORTUNITIES According to the Wind Vision Report, by 2050, wind
industry has the potential to provide over 600,000 jobs in
wind power industry chain: manufacturing, installation,
maintenance, and supporting services.
African is abundant in many natural resources including wind.
(Although far less uniformly distributed than the solar energy,)
Africa has a large coastline forming strong winds, which is one of
the best potential for wind power generation4. It is estimated that
SOLUTIONS
e. Wind energy promotes economy.
the potential wind energy in Africa would cover more than 51 Wind energy supports industry growth and competitiveness
times the entire electricity demand of Africa in 2012, which was in the clean energy economy.
605TWh1. Wind turbines can be built on existing farms with best wind Not only should local governments provide forceful policy support
sites and can benefit the rural economy. Wind turbines are for the wind power industry, but also, they need to disseminate
An energy deficit has greatly hindered Africa’s development, with dispersive and can coexist well with farming. Besides, advantages of this renewable source throughout the whole continent.
an estimated 70 percent of people in sub-Saharan Africans farmers increase their income with the rent of their land.
without reliable access to electricity. However, the largest source In SDG 7, there is a significant target aiming to enhance
of electricity generation in Africa is still fuel-based, which is the cooperation to improve access to clean energy technology. It’s not
most expensive form of energy globally5. realistic that some least developed African countries themselves can
develop wind power industry alone. For instance, Australia is a
developed country with abundant wind power resources, where
References: many advanced techniques are used for wind-power electricity
(1) Tlyou, T. The state and wind energy in Africa. ESI Africa. 2018; (1): 4-5. Available from: http://spintelligentpublishing.com/Digital/ESI-Africa/renewable-energy-supplement-2018/index.html [Accessed 10th April 2018] generation4. African countries can use experience of Australia and
(2) The United Nations. The Sustainable Development Goals. Available from: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/energy/ [Accessed 10th April 2018]
(3) Wind Energy Technologies Office. Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy. Available from: https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy [Accessed 10th April 2018]
better their energy-producing techniques.
(4) Tlyou, T. The five biggest wind energy markets in Africa. Available from: http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/44926/the-five-biggest-wind-energy-markets-in-africa/ [Accessed 10th April 2018]
(5) Kurt, D. Africa’s Renewable Energy Potential. Available from: https://www.africa.com/africas-renewable-energy-potential/ [Accessed 10th April 2018]
(6) Bratley, J. The Impacts of Wind Turbines. Clean Energy Ideas. Available from: http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com/wind/wind-turbines/the-impacts-of-wind-turbines [Accessed 10th April 2018]
(7) Haluzan, N. Wind energy advantages and disadvantages. Available from: http://www.renewables-info.com/drawbacks_and_benefits/wind_energy_advantages_and_disadvantages.html [Accessed 10th April 2018]
(8) Diesendorf, M. Why Australia needs wind power? Dissent, 2008; (13): 43-48. Available from: http://solarwind.net.au/Documents/WindPowersStrength.pdf [Accessed 10th April 2018]