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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 11, No. 2
Publication Date: April 25, 2023
DOI:10.14738/aivp.112.14211.
Maleka, V. M., & Islam, M. S. (2023). Exploring the Efficacy and Feasibility of Wind Energy as A Panacea for Eskom’s Sustainable
Generation with Energy Security and Energy Poverty. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(2). 131-142.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Exploring the Efficacy and Feasibility of Wind Energy as A
Panacea for Eskom’s Sustainable Generation with Energy
Security and Energy Poverty
Dr. Victor Chipane Maleka
Atlantic International University (AIU), Pioneer Plaza,
900 Fort Street Mall 905, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
Dr. Mohammad Shahidul Islam
Atlantic International University (AIU), Pioneer Plaza,
900 Fort Street Mall 905, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
Abstract
There is ample proof that South Africa's ongoing reliance on fossil fuels as its
primary source of energy consumption. It has contributed to the release of
greenhouse gases that have exacerbated ecosystem disruption causing global
warming and climate change. The study investigated and evaluated the
effectiveness and feasibility of wind energy as a magic bullet to improve energy
security, sustainable energy production, and alleviate energy poverty in South
Africa. This is in order to improve sustainable energy generation, energy security,
and the elimination of these problems. A thorough literature review of papers
published between 2015 and 2022 was done in this study. SWOT analysis method
(strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) is also used in the study.
According to the analysis, Eskom's deployment of wind energy at a large scale can
enhance South Africa's energy security and sustainably provide power while also
lowering the country's present level of energy poverty. The systematic literature
review indicates that South Africa, particularly in the Eastern and Western Cape
regions, offers significant potential for and capacity for renewable wind energy. In
order to incorporate renewable sources into its energy mix and achieve energy
sustainability, Eskom should use macro-level strategies that discourage carbon- based energy.
Keywords: Efficacy; Feasibility; Renewable Energy, Non-Renewable Energy, Fossil Fuel,
Environment, Green Energy, Wind Energy, Fossil Fuels, Eskom, Energy Poverty,
Sustainable Energy, and Energy Security.
INTRODUCTION
Most of the world now relies on fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources as their
primary energy sources, however they are quickly depleting (Mas'ud, Wirba, Ardila-Rey,
Albaracin, Muhammad-Sukki, Duque, Bani&Munir, 2017). Non-renewable resource pollution is
a problem that harms both the environment and human health. These issues have led to the
necessity for renewable energy in numerous countries all over the world. Power companies
like Eskom should move from fossil fuels to other energy sources to combat climate change
(Arent, Arndt, Miller, Tarp & Zinaman, 2017; Isoaho, Goritz & Schulz, 2017). The modern energy
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transition is typically greatly influenced by changes in legislation, technology, and economic
growth (Cherp, Vinichenko, Jewell, Brutschin & Sovacool, 2018).
Nonetheless, it appears that among the most crucial factors impacting the processes of the
energy transition are supporting policies and effective institutions (Jacobsson & Lauber, 2006).
Several nations have pledged to do more to achieve a clean energy transition in order to fulfill
the ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda regarding SDG 7 (energy and
energy access) and SDG 13 (climate change), as well as the commitments made during the 21st
Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) in Paris in 2015. However, the analysis of the effectiveness and viability of
switching to renewable wind energy in developing countries, particularly in Africa and South
Africa, has received less attention (Cherp, Vinichenko, Jewell, Suzuki & Antal, 2017; Cherp et al.,
2018). In the context of Africa, the shift to renewable energy should be viewed as clean energy
modernization and expansion rather than a transition in and of itself (Aliyu, Modu, Tan, 2018;
Akinyoade, Uche & Dangote, 2017; IEA. Energy access outlook, 2017).
Background and Context of the Study
Due to its difficulty in producing enough electricity to fulfill demand, South Africa is currently
experiencing an energy crisis. The result of this has been a number of loadshedding cycles.
While Eskom works to get the nation's energy production back to sustainable levels, a reliable
grid ought to be a top priority for all stakeholders on a national level.
Regarding this situation, South Africa has recognized wind energy as a solution to simplify the
switch from non-renewable energy sources to renewable energy sources like wind energy in
order to lessen the challenges and drawbacks associated with using fossil fuels as energy
sources (Mukonza & Nhamo, 2018). A few of the organizations in South Africa that support
renewable energy are the Department of Energy (DoE), Energy Development Corporation,
South Africa National Energy Development Institute, South Africa Wind Energy Association,
South African Renewable Energy Council, South African Renewable Initiative, and Sustainable
Energy Society Southern Africa. In collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI), which hosted the WINDABA conference for African wind energy companies in 2014.
The fastest-growing renewable energy source in the world is wind energy, which has also
become one of the most economically advantageous sources of raw materials per unit of power
produced (Aliyu, Modu & Tan, 2018). Due to the abundance of renewable energy resources in
some locations, empirical studies have shown that more than 62% of South Africa's electricity
needs may be satisfied by wind resources (Zhang, Gari, & Hmurcik, 2014).
This shows that there would be enough wind farms to create around 6700GW, which would be
sufficient to meet the world's electricity needs, if they were erected everywhere in the country,
excluding exclusion zones (Yahiaoui, Benmansour, & Tadjine, 2016). Furthermore, according
to the CSIR, over 80% of South Africa's land mass has sufficient wind resources for the optimal
and technologically advantageous operation of wind farms with a very high annual load factor
of around 30%. (Bracco, Delfino, Pampararo, Robba, & Rossi, 2015; Izadbakhsh, Gandomkar,
Rezvani, & Ahmadi, 2015).
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Maleka, V. M., & Islam, M. S. (2023). Exploring the Efficacy and Feasibility of Wind Energy as A Panacea for Eskom’s Sustainable Generation with
Energy Security and Energy Poverty. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(2). 131-142.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.112.14211
The production of wind energy is a cheap and widely available resource. As a result, more and
more nations are realizing that the potential for future power production from wind energy is
enormous (Singh et al., 2022; Qin, Yan, Zhu, Xu &Kammen, 2021; Maldonado-Correa, Solano&
Rojas-Moncayo, 2021).
Given how wind energy contributes to achieving the SDGs connected to energy, it has been
expected that wind resources will actively contribute to supplying the world's energy
requirements, particularly in developing and impoverished nations.
The option of supplying electric energy from renewable energy resources has essentially
become more popular due to the combined impact of South Africa's solar and wind energy
resources (Bracco, Delfino, Pampararo, Robba, & Rossi, 2015). Despite South Africa's potential
for wind energy, wind power is still not fully incorporated into the country's energy
mix(Adefarati, & Bansal, 2017).
Present Energy Mix in the South African Grid
Coal is used to generate around 89.9% of the power used in South Africa (Bekun, Emir &
Sarkodie, 2019). Nonetheless, steps have been taken in South Africa to cut CO2 emissions and
encourage the expansion of renewable energy sources. These changes as well as the difficulties
that existed will be examined in this assessment.
Figure 1: The Energy Mix in South Africa (Source: Data & Statistics, IEA,
https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics (accessed November 30, 2022).
In South Africa, there are many renewable energy options, which makes it possible to find a
practical solution to the load shedding issue that has plagued the nation's supply.
South Africa's renewable energy resources have the largest reserve capacity on the continent
and, if completely utilized in a clean and sustainable manner, are expected to be able to meet
the country's energy needs.
Adefarati and Obikoya claim that South Africa has the ability to utilise wind resources to
generate electricity to meet the demands of the nation (2019). Pretoria is the least windy
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location among the ten cities or towns chosen for this research effort, while Cape Town, a
coastal city, is the most windy location among the locations evaluated in this study for the
installation of the WT. Pretoria has a capacity factor of 8.19% and a wind penetration of 28.4%.
The capacity factor has a favorable effect on the amount of energy generated by the wind
system. Figure 2 below displays South Africa's wind potential.
Figure 2: Wind potential of South Africa (WASA, 2020)
Its coastline reaches for more than 2,500 kilometers (1,553 mi) along two oceans (the South
Atlantic and the Indian).
Cape Fold Highlands are found in a variety of shapes in the coastal zone beneath the southern
and southern-western portions of the Great Escarpment. There are plenty of resources for wind
energy in the Great Escarpment's extensive coastal strip and inner escarpments, which
separate it from the ocean and have the greatest potential for wind energy. Despite the fact that
the country has a lot of wind energy, it can only be used where there are reliable, strong winds.
The Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal are the provinces with the
greatest potential for wind energy (Business Insider SA, 2021; IRENA, 2015; CCE News Team,
2021).
As a result, the Department of Energy (DoE) of South Africa estimates that the average annual
wind speed at 10 meters will be 6 m/s in 2016, which is compatible with the country's expected
total annual wind generating capacity of 60 TWh. Based on land availability, 410,000 km2 of
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Maleka, V. M., & Islam, M. S. (2023). Exploring the Efficacy and Feasibility of Wind Energy as A Panacea for Eskom’s Sustainable Generation with
Energy Security and Energy Poverty. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(2). 131-142.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.112.14211
land are subject to winds stronger than 6.5 m/s. Just 1,174 km2 are anticipated to be suitable
for wind turbines. As a result, South Africa has the possibility of having pleasant winds,
particularly on and around the beaches of the Western and Eastern Cape. The wind farms in
Cape Town's Klipheuwel and Darling are currently operational and have been since 2007.
Southern Africa. 2004's Info Reporter.
Purpose & Aim of the Study
This study's main objective was to provide a critical assessment of the viability and usefulness
of renewable wind energy sources for Eskom in South Africa. The researchers looked into and
evaluated variables that may affect Eskom's scaling up of renewable wind energy in South
Africa. The study focused on analyzing how the growth of wind energy influenced South Africa's
reliable electricity supply, energy poverty, and environmentally friendly energy production.
Above importantly, the report fairly assessed the challenges South Africa faces in creating
sustainable wind energy infrastructure. Eskom may use the findings to increase the viability
and feasibility of wind energy in South Africa by implementing the study's suggestions. This
study was carried out at a time when South Africa's energy utility business faces challenges in
meeting the country's energy needs and is forced to implement tight loadshedding and
reduction plans in order to avoid total energy depletion.
Aim of the study was to explore potential of wind energy resource to generate electricity in
South Africa to promote sustainable development in order to meet SGD goal 2030.
REVIEW OF RELATED EMPIRICAL STUDIES
According to empirical studies (Boie et al., 2016, Bos et al., 2018, Gebreslassie, 2020, Ortega- Izquierdo and del R'o, 2020, and Zhang et al., 2016), wind energy has the ability to support
economic growth and development. There are numerous opportunities for wind energy's
global expansion. Cross-cutting topics that can be studied in literature include rising energy
demand, energy security, energy sector changes, and environmental quality. Technical
limitations (Berrezzek et al. 2019), financial and cost concerns (Bos et al. 2018; Ouedraogo,
2019; Pueyo; 2018; Rehmatulla et al. 2017), and infrastructural issues (Bos et al. 2018;
Dio'genes et al. 2020; Chaurasiya) are the key barriers to the growth of wind energy. Contrary
to the widespread view that wind energy is the answer to the threat to energy security and
poverty, Dorile (2021) argues that wind energy offers a magnificent alternative to the usage of
fossil fuels for the manufacture of electrical energy. Yet it's crucial to keep in mind that wind
energy is not a magic bullet, and that system planners and grid operators may run into a
number of challenges as a result.
Barriers Bedeviling Wind Energy Development for Eskom
Alemzero, Acheampong, and Huaping investigated the current situation and obstacles to the
uptake of wind energy in Africa (2021). The researchers emphasized that many African nations
are not increasing their production of wind energy. Alemzero et al. (2021) recognized economic,
technological, market, and socio-political constraints as the four main categories of hurdles.
Economic and Financial Barriers
Since the negative externalities of wind energy are still not being properly accounted for, it
competes unfairly in Africa with other power sources like fossil fuels. The high tax burden in
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many African nations prevents the swift deployment of wind energy. Costs for operations, wind
energy equipment, and supplementary services provided to the sector rise as taxes rise.
However, the bulk of African nations continue to support fossil fuel power facilities with
subsidies.
Wind energy is expensive in some countries due to subsidies for fossil fuels, making it difficult
for it to compete favorably with these established sources and limiting its appeal for private
sector investments that are required to build economies of scale and further cut prices.
Institutional and Regulatory Barriers
Most African nations have laws and regulations in place to encourage the use of wind energy.
But little is actually being done to ensure that these frameworks become the actual investments
required to enable the expansion of wind energy; they only exist on paper. This issue is closely
tied to the lack of industrial groups and professional organizations in the majority of nations
that would help to promote and expand the use of wind energy. With the South African Wind
Energy Association, this is not the case (SAWEA). Through public lectures and forums, they
have been able to promote, uphold, and inform the general public about the advantages of using
wind energy in South Africa and other parts of Africa. The depth and breadth of South Africa's
improved wind energy potential are evidence of some of their work.
Technical Barriers
Due to aging power infrastructure, integrating unreliable renewable energy sources like wind
energy is more difficult. Lack of updated building codes, standards, and certifications further
exacerbates issues. In order to accommodate the generation of wind energy and other
renewable energy sources, national grids must be altered somewhat. As there aren't enough
people with the necessary commercial and technical skills to install wind across the continent,
it is also difficult to manage the sector. Additionally, we learn that the continent lacks easy
access to equipment for operation and maintenance (O&M) tasks because the business is still
in its early phases. Due to the higher cost of importation, the cost of purchasing such equipment
will fall if economies of scale are created.
Wind energy fluctuates; thus, it must be controlled to maintain system balance and prevent
blackouts. Unfortunately, when the system is oversupplied, there is no way to store the extra
energy, or when demand exceeds supply, South Africa's grid architecture is unable to
accommodate wind energy.
Because wind energy is stochastic, system balancing necessitates an understanding of system
planning to guarantee the dependability and stability of the grid. For governments looking to
incorporate wind power into their grid, this could be difficult. The cost of land or the procedures
for locating a spot to build a wind farm have an impact on the ability to generate power from
the wind.
Market Barriers
In Africa, traditional fuel sources continue to receive tax exemptions and financial incentives,
which is detrimental to renewable energy. This does not promote the use of renewable energy
sources. In Africa, it seems that the proverb "the devil you know is better than the angel you do
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The study's data came from working documents and pertinent literature on the growth of
renewable energy in South Africa. The SWOT analysis approach was chosen by the researcher
since it has a number of benefits. The key benefit of the SWOT analysis approach is that it makes
it possible for the researcher to get important data about the viability and effectiveness of wind
energy as a solution to Eskom's South African energy issue.
SWOT analysis is a reliable and useful technique that can be used to highlight Eskom's current
shortcomings with regard to scaling up wind energy.The study makes the claim that the
viability and effectiveness of wind energy as a solution to South Africa's energy poverty and
insecurity depends on Eskom's willingness to increase wind energy production through a
massive program of purchasing and constructing wind farms throughout the nation's nine
provinces.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
According to the literature review, South Africa is gradually transitioning to a low-carbon,
climate change-resistant, and environmentally sustainable economy. Investments totaling
R209.7 billion have already been committed in South African wind energy projects, according
to the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA). The analysis revealed that wind power
now accounts for a larger part of South Africa's planned expenditures on renewable energy. By
2030, 17742 MW, or 22.7% of South Africa's required electricity, will likely come from wind
energy. (2002) (Rad, Bekker, and Arashi). The use of wind energy will lead to an increase in
employment. The 22 wind Independent Power Producers (IPPs) that have so far successfully
begun doing business have created 2 723 jobs for South Africans.
The thorough study of the literature revealed that South Africa has great potential for and
capacity for renewable wind energy, particularly in the Eastern and Western Cape regions (Rad
et al., 2022). South Africa's climatology is favorable for producing significant amounts of wind
energy, especially along the shores of the Eastern and Western Capes.
There are 33 wind farms in South Africa, 22 of which are operational and 11 are still being built
(Gomez & Lundquist, 2019). It is important to note that South Africa has an abundance of
alternative power sources based on a variety of energy indicators collected throughout the
years.
Without a doubt, renewable wind energy is already planned for inclusion in South Africa's
energy mix. Although IPPs produce a larger portion of the wind energy, they sell Eskom the
energy that the wind produces. This still presents the biggest issue, as the study points out.
Further advantages of Eskom's large-scale wind energy production include the creation of jobs
through viable RE sectors, an increase in energy production, and improved energy efficiency
(Nogaya, Nwulu & Gbadamosi, 2022).
In this regard, empirical research has demonstrated that Eskom should implement the usage of
renewable wind energy into the energy system as a matter of national priority in order to
satisfy electricity demand and reduce the current load shedding threat plaguing the nation.
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Maleka, V. M., & Islam, M. S. (2023). Exploring the Efficacy and Feasibility of Wind Energy as A Panacea for Eskom’s Sustainable Generation with
Energy Security and Energy Poverty. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(2). 131-142.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.112.14211
CONCLUSIONS
The study gave particular attention to the possibilities and applications of wind energy in South
Africa today. The demonstration of a powerful wind flow for the creation of energy and other
services came next. There are opportunities to include South Africa's wind generation into the
overall energy policy because it is the continent's largest wind market. There is a significant
risk to South Africa as a result of the country having only one electricity provider.
Eskom's failure suggests that there would be no other option for the nation's long-term energy
sustainability. There is a significant risk to South Africa as a result of the country having only
one electricity provider. Eskom's collapse suggests that there would be no other option for the
nation's energy sustainability.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
There were no conflicting interests when the study was conducted since the researcher
conducted the study from an independent perspective.
Funding
The study was personally funded by the researchers.
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