Wind Energy

Rising Electricity Demand Boosts the African Large-Scale Wind Turbine Market

The low price of electricity generation from traditional feedstocks, such as coal and natural gas, has limited the interest in renewable energy power generation. Over the past five years, however, higher-than-anticipated economic growth in African states has led to a rapid increase in electricity demand and renewed interest in alternative forms of power generation.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.energy.frost.com), African Large-Scale Wind Turbine Market, finds that the market earned revenues of over US$148.4 million in 2008 and estimates this to reach US$424.3 million in 2015. The study focuses on the following product segments of the large wind turbine market: 600kW, 660-850kW and greater than 850kW.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides a brief synopsis of the research and a table of contents, then send an e-mail to Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications, at patrick.cairns@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, a brochure will be sent to you by e-mail.

"As a result of public pressure to provide reliable power supply, governments in Africa are investing more resources into exploring renewable energy for power generation," says Frost & Sullivan Energy Research Analyst Sipha Ndawonde. "The success of the wind power markets in Europe and the United States has convinced many governments that wind power can assist in alleviating some of the power shortages in the continent."

Wind power projects between 120 MW and 300 MW have been announced in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Africa. In North Africa, the Zafarana wind farm in Egypt continues to increase its installed capacity, and interest is growing in the Algerian, Tunisian and Moroccan wind power markets.

A major challenge to market expansion is that the power sector in many African countries is still regulated by monopoly control. Thus, the onus of meeting electricity demand is the sole responsibility of utilities.

"Moreover, there are other restraints such as aging infrastructure, over-reliance on single feedstocks for power generation, and the lack of capital for electrical infrastructure refurbishment," explains Ndawonde. "This has resulted in many countries failing to meet the rising electricity demand."

Strategic consultation among equipment suppliers, project developers and government institutions on key issues such as grid capacity will promote the market prospects. The level of government support for renewable energy projects will also be a key to the growth of the renewable energy power market.

African Large-Scale Wind Turbine Market is part of the Energy & Power Growth Partnership Services programme, which also includes research in the following markets: Renewable Energy Equipment Market in Southern Africa, Hydro Turbine Markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Power Rental in Key African Markets. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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