The Embassy of Denmark in South Africa has welcomed the results (released this week) of the Request for Information (RFI) published by the Department of Energy (DoE) in September 2010. The RFI was aimed at the country’s renewable energy players and received a noteworthy 384 replies with a total of 20GW of REFIT (Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff) and 4GW co-generation technologies identified.
Funded, analysed and compiled by the a team of renewable energy experts at the Embassy of Denmark in partnership with the DoE and the PPP unit in National Treasury, the RFI was segmented between: Wind Power, one third of the responses and 70% of the total capacity; Solar Photovoltaic (PV), one third and 15% of the capacity; Concentrated Solar, 5% response and 10% of the capacity; and the remainder comprising biomass, hydro, landfill. There were also 20 responses for co-generation.
Comments Carsten Laugesen, development councillor at the Embassy of Denmark SA: “Clearly the above results indicate that South Africa is well on track to establishing a feasible and tangible renewable energy programme. Also, playing an active role in this role in this process indicates Denmark’s continued support of South Africa’s renewable energy strides.
Currently, in excess of 30% of Denmark’s total energy capacity is made up of renewable energy resources such as wind.
The findings by the RFI will be used to develop the criteria for a procurement programme, earmarked for release in the first quarter of 2011. Also, the RFI is currently in consultation with Eskom and other partner to match the findings with existing industry conditions.
Denmark has played an active role in South Africa renewable energy development over the last decade which includes the establishment of the Darling Wind Farm – a demonstration site in Darling, Western Cape, the launch of the country’s first Wind Atlas for SA (WASA) and involvement with a myriad of renewable energy projects such as the funding of the Eastern Cape Community Wind Energy Development Agency ECCWEDA).
Concludes Laugesen: “As an Embassy we will, going forward, work towards establishing and fortifying trade ties between our countries, ultimately setting the foundation for a greener and sustainable economy for the future”.
