Eskom has clarified misconceptions created by a video clip on social media depicting the decommissioning of one of three wind turbines at the Klipheuwel demonstration plant near Cape Town.
The power utility on Wednesday set the record straight on the alleged ‘broken and falling’ turbine depicted on social media.
“This is an acceptable method that can be employed for the disposal of a wind turbine structure that has reached the end of its economic life-cycle. The turbine in question was one of three installed at the demonstration plant by Eskom in 2002 to conduct research into the potential of wind energy generation, as well as to evaluate the different wind-based technologies and their economic viability,” said Eskom.
In July 2016, the power utility announced that one of the three turbines earmarked for decommissioning would be used for practical training at the South African Renewable Technology Centre (SARETEC), a renewables training facility in South Africa.
It was donated by Eskom and provides an ideal opportunity for further learning and skills development in the industry. The remaining two turbines were disposed of through Eskom’s commercial processes.
The power utility said it is continuing with its initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint.
“One of these is the organisation’s first large-scale renewable energy project, Sere Wind Farm, based near Vredendal in the Western Cape.
“The Sere plant adds 100 MW to the national power grid and will contribute to saving nearly six million tons of greenhouse gas emissions over its 20 years of expected lifespan. Brought into commercial operation in 2015, the project is one of the largest wind energy projects in the country,” said the power utility. – SAnews.gov.za
