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GLOBAL RENEWABLES ONLINE - DECEMBER 2011
T he African Wind Energy
Association (AfriWEA), found-
ed in 2002, encourages manu-
facturers, developers, governments,
renewable energy owners and individu-
als to promote and support wind energy
development on the African continent.
The organizations put together the 2nd
Annual World Wind Energy Association
conference in Cape Town in November
2003, which was attended by over 1000
delegates from over 50 countries. Today,
the membership exceeds 943 people in
75 countries all over the world, says the
association.
There is clear development potential for
wind in Africa, and many factors boost the
prospects of the wind market.
These include a general move towards re-
newable energy as a valid part of infrastruc-
ture creation and electricity generation, and
“the enthusiasm of international donors to
invest in clean energy schemes.” However
there is a lot of work to do in some areas of
Africa in terms of policy development around
renewables, and the ability of governments
to act of such policies remains “a huge issue
for wind energy projects in all African coun-
tries,” states AfriWEA.
“AfriWEA aims to become an influential
umbrella organisation representing the wind
energy sector in Africa and thus assisting
interaction and co-operation between all en-
ergy players. It will be a network through
which support around the world will be ob-
tained or given on wind energy matters. In
this way it shall promote the development of
and investment in wind energy on the conti-
nent. All its activities are based on principles
of finding alternatives to fossil fuelled power
because of the threat it imposes to our global
climate, and that national and local govern-
ments have a responsibility (and should be
encouraged at every opportunity) to incor-
porate strategies for renewable energy
schemes into their policies.”
The Association wishes to facilitate consultation between all
sorts of parties: the energy industry, local and national
governments, academic institutions, other industries that could
benefit from investment in wind energy, not to mention the
general public and other institutions such as those concerned
with conservation of the environment. Raising awareness of
the wind power industry, sometimes dispelling the myths that
surround wind turbines, and highlighting the practical
changes they can bring to communities remains one of the
Associations highest objectives. AfriWEA also recognises the
importance of delivering technology in an appropriate manner,
and provides equal support to large grid connected projects
and smaller stand-alone systems.
African Wind and
Energy Association –
There is wind in Africa