SEEING WIND’S BEAUTY IN S. AFRICA

A mapping specialist estimates the view will be affected over up to 50 kilometers of the wild-flower-filled, largely rural region but the local sheep are not expected to voice complaints and the human inhabitants may learn to appreciate the emission-free energy.

Ugly wind turbines to create positive energy
Anton Ferriera, August 20, 2007 (The Johannesburg, South Africa, Times)

WHO
South African state-run utility Eskom (Fani Zulu, spokesman); Karen Jodas, environmental impact assessment manager;

South Africa's western cape. Vredendal is halfway up. The wind installation is north and west, by the coast. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Eskom will build a 50 to 100-turbine wind farm.

WHEN
Installation begins as soon as required environmental approvals are granted. Hopes are to be generating power by the time of the 2010 Soccer World Cup in Johnanesburg.

WHERE
West coast of South Africa, 40km northwest of Vredendal and 2 km inland, north of the Olifants River.

WHY
25 square kilometer site. 50-100 80-meter tall turbines with 90-meter diameter 3-bladed propellers. 100 megawatt capacity. Estimated cost of R1.1 billion ($153 million) but no emissions and no subsequent fuel costs for 20-year life.

Not a great map but a careful look reveals they are putting the turbines right where the wind is best. Bright chaps, those South Africans. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Zulu: “…full steam ahead…It’s part of diversifying our energy mix to include renewables … economically it’s not very competitive with a coal-fired or nuclear power station, but it makes good business sense to diversify.”
Jodas: “There’s a positive energy about it — excuse the pun.”