Eskom woes threaten renewables sector

TechCentral

The precarious state of Eskom’s finances threatens to hinder the growth of the renewable energy sector in South Africa, just when it is needed most, Steve Sawyer, secretary general of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) said at the opening of the Windaba in Cape Town on Wednesday.

At the same time, low oil and coal prices send the wrong kind of signal to consumers, although it does not threaten the renewable energy sector directly, he said.

The most recent prices for wind power are 40% cheaper than for new-build coal, Sawyer told delegates via a live video link. In his view, South Africa has a huge potential for wind energy, but delays in terms of finance and grid connections are the current stumbling blocks.

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