Wind atlas for South Africa (WASA): Project overview and current status

Abstract

The goal of the South African Wind Energy Programme (SAWEP) is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by thermal power in the national inter-connected system. SAWEP has six main expected outcomes: increased public sector incremental cost funding, initialising of green power funding, long-term policy and implementation framework for wind energy, assessment of wind resources, promotion of commercial wind energy development and the building of capacity and strengthened institutions. The wind resource assessment project is known as Wind Atlas for South Africa - WASA. This paper will discuss the wind atlas method; provide an overview of the current understanding of the wind resource in South Africa; and describe the wind measurements that are currently being undertaken as well as the micro-scale modelling that is planned as part of the WASA project.