Feasibility study for the South African Wind Energy Programme (SAWEP)

Client: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Area: South Africa

Timeline: October 2003 – Current

Details: Funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF), this project was implemented in three phases – each contingent on the outcome of the previous phase.

The first phase was to identify the barriers to establishing a wind energy

industry in South Africa and to make recommendations to overcome these. This phase was recently completed, with GEF approval. Phase Two has recently commenced.

The work in Phase One covered:

  • The analysis of the green energy market with specific attention to understanding the financial issues and mechanisms of the industry within the South African context.
  • The analysis of the legislative and institutional framework that supports the above and conducting a gap analysis thereto.
  • An economic analysis of current electricity prices in South Africa, including predictions for future price structures and their impact on the wind energy industry.
  • The design of a Tradable Renewable Energy Certificate System for South Africa including the supporting institutional framework. This component was prepared in conjunction with AGAMA.
  • The facilitation in 2004 of a SAWEP workshop for industry stakeholders.