Beyond curiosity – Growing interest on wind power
Although, the wind blows every day in Zimbabwe, is it enough to facilitate commercially viable wind power projects? Global studies are heading towards positive indications of the existence of wind resources for possible commercial development in Zimbabwe. The global recognition of the possibility of wind power development in Zimbabwe gives keen interest to many investors, private sector and policy makers in the field of renewable energy. Having noted the growing interest in renewable energy including wind power, the Green Business Gazette opines that wind power requires evidence-based analysis of its prospects in the country, backed by internationally recognised methodologies of resource quantifications. This article attempts to explain the dynamics of wind power and affirms the need for Zimbabwe to pursue vigorously the possibilities of wind power in the country as well as carrying out all practicable steps to get closer to yielding wind power at commercial scale.
Role of Energy in socio-economic development
It is widely recognised that Energy is a key enabler of socio-economic transformation in different parts of the world. Dealing with climate change and global warming demands drastic shifts in the energy mix, including decarbonising our economies from overreliance on fossil fuels. The increased calls for scaling up renewable energy continue to influence its inclusion in the energy mixes of different countries. As Zimbabwe gears itself to fully implement the National Renewable Energy Policy, the potential for wind power generation is a great opportunity to bolster the national energy mix. Many questions have been raised concerning the prospects of generating wind power in Zimbabwe and there is need to answer them once and for all. The Green Business Gazette takes readers through a pragmatic review of the possibilities of wind power in Zimbabwe based on the scant available evidence and proposes the way forward for urgent studies to either prove or disapprove the existence of commercially viable wind power in Zimbabwe.
Facts about wind power generation
Although wind turbines can start rotating at wind speeds as low as 2 metres per second (m/s), globally it is widely acknowledged that wind speeds of at least 10 – 15m/s metres per second give the most technically and economically viable possibilities of wind power generation, with 15 m/s being the most efficient. When wind speeds are above 25 m/s a braking system may be required to enable the wind turbine to cut out or come to a stall. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity. This process is carried out without generating emissions to the environment. Commercial wind turbine deployment requires millions of dollars to construct and maintain, hence a factual approach to decision making is necessary when investing in wind technologies.
Tacking stock of our wind resources and moving forward
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that the average wind speed in Zimbabwe is 4 to 6 metres per second. An African Development Bank Wind Atlas estimates ranges of wind energy potential of between less than 4 to 6 metres per second at an altitude of 50 metres. This means that there are good chances of generating wind power in Zimbabwe albeit in specific areas. The wind speed viable for commercial wind power production in Zimbabwe is believed to be mainly concentrated in the Eastern and the Southern parts of the country. Investors must be guided accordingly in the process of determining the locations with the highest potential for wind technology deployment and generation of wind power.
Remote studies should be coupled with empirical studies on the ground to verify the potential for wind power. Although wind power is possible in the locations identified in the eastern and southern parts of the country, it is necessary to ensure that operation, maintenance and outlets of spare parts are established to deal with all the needs of running the projects throughout the life-cycle.
Noise impacts and aesthetic impacts on the landscapes need to be assessed in order to mitigate adverse impacts on the local communities.
The security of Zimbabwe’s energy supplies should not be based upon one energy source, but must be based on an energy mix. Solar energy already shows an advanced potential amongst the renewables, but the potential for wind energy should be fully explored. Practical scientific studies to ascertain the level of wind resources for energy generation should be fully supported by development partners, private sector and government agencies.
Public private partnerships will be necessary in order to harness the ability of the country to finance and technically develop wind projects. The potential for wind has been alluded to be present in Zimbabwe by international organisations and early work by ZERO Regional Environmental Organisation. What is left is for the country to scale up validation and further scientific studies to verify the wind resource potential. Time is definitely not on our side in the green energy revolution.
Policy support has been established through the National Renewable Energy Policy and this needs to be coupled with a scientific approach coupled with green financing framework to finance the technical assessments and move beyond pilots to commercial generation of wind energy.
Investors are not concerned with renewable energy investments without a feasibility study of the technical and business case. This cautious approach is very necessary in order to avoid unnecessary loss of income through investment in projects which are not profitable. It is therefore essential to prove the case for wind technology in Zimbabwe in order to leverage investment. Approaching renewable energy investments from purely an “eco-centric approach” is not ideal as it will result in apathy by the private sector financing facilities which always balance ecological and commercial goals.
Several projects across the world have become dormant when improperly planned and done without proper feasibility. Therefore, the need for data regarding the viability of commercial wind power generation is to a great extent a means of due diligence and cautious approach to green investments. At the same time, we cannot become slaves of our own fears and require a factual determination of the extent of our fears. In certain cases fears can turn out to be foundations of hope. In ascertaining the wind power resource that Zimbabwe has through tests on the ground; Zimbabwe will be able to end the debate once and for all, rather than contemplate what could be or what could have been. Technological advancement is also progressing to the level where wind energy is being harnessed with lower wind speeds and at a lower cost.
The collaboration amongst stakeholders in industry, research, academia and civil society as well as public sectors is necessary. Zimbabwe has some of the leading researchers, experts including those in the field of renewable energy. Despite the opportunity that exists, we need to see the scientists to contribute to bodies of knowledge and assist in determining whether or not Zimbabwe can invest in wind technology.
A decisive conclusion to the debate is necessary and validation of international studies that propose the existence of wind energy potential should be proved or disapproved. Once this process is completed, stakeholders can consider these inputs in making decisions and also making recommendation on the investment priorities of the country in the renewable energy fraternity in Zimbabwe.
How can this be done?
The wind speed of the proposed site for wind generation can be determined by measuring wind speed on a pole erected at the site where the proposed wind turbine is to be installed. The monitoring should take place over several months in order to determine a pattern and also determine the average wind speeds over sustained wind speeds
What factors will determine and encourage generation of wind power?
Altitude of a place is very important. In areas where wind power is earmarked to be generated it should be noted that the wind speed increases with an increase in distance from the ground. Therefore turbines should be located at higher positions starting from at least 10 metres height minimum. In most countries ranges of 50m to 80 metres are very common.
How reliable is wind energy?
Several project developers and investors are concerned about the intermittent nature of wind power. It can be unreliable at times, depending on the level of wind at a particular time. Lack of predictability also makes investments risky to make. However, long term studies of wind patterns can allay this fear. The reliability depends on location where the wind project is installed, but there is no definite prediction of how wind patterns manifest themselves in any area.
Are the energy economics of wind power attractive?
The high investment costs in wind turbines are usually the main concern for many investors. With policy instruments, incentives and support infrastructure; wind can be made competitive and economically viable option in the energy mix. Costs have to be considered for installation as well as operation and maintenance. Research carried out by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) suggests that global costs of installing wind turbines ranges between US$ 1800/kW to US$ 2200/kW when installed onshore and US 4500/kW when installed off-shore. In the case of markets such as Zimbabwe, the cost is lower as it is onshore, rather than offshore installation. There are also costs associated with operation and maintenance of wind turbines. These range from US$ 0.01 to $ 0.025/KW. As technology, research and development advances, we are likely to see a fall in the costs of wind technology. As the costs fall, there will be increased chances of wind energy investment in Zimbabwe.
How do we finance wind projects in Zimbabwe?
There are multifaceted sources of financing wind power projects in Zimbabwe. These sources need to be explored jointly and in combination in order to ensure that there are high chances of success. Government financing, International Climate Finance Facilities, private sector investors and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) should be greatly explored. Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) can also be explored including Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) Models. Innovative finance instruments can be developed learning from experiences of other countries which have established Green Funds or Renewable Energy financing facilities. Projects from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) can also enable a transition towards scaling up wind power.
How to address asymmetric information amongst stakeholders?
Investors act on information that is availed to them, therefore the need to package our investment portfolio for renewable energy in a compelling manner. In the case of renewable energy, both local and international investors require factual information on the availability of the specific energy resource. In the case of wind energy; it is now imperative that research centres, universities, consultants, think-tanks and other energy experts work in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Power Development in order to fast-track the assessment of the country’s wind energy resources. Stakeholders with information should also share this with other key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Energy and Power Development and also Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA). Sharing information ensures that there is a collaborative approach in issues of energy. Private sector players are also encouraged to complement efforts of government in the drive towards clean and renewable energy taking the lead in investing in renewable energy.
The modern wind turbine typology
As we pursue the possibility of wind power generation in Zimbabwe, we must be guided by what the best practice is across the world. This ensures that our projects are comparable. The 3 blade wind turbine remains the most reliable and cost effective in the world. These turbines can have between 80 to 100 metres diameter. Such wind turbines can generate energy or between 2 to 3MW at a minimum of 80 metres in height. These typologies could yield between 7000 to 10 000MWh on an annual basis. Smaller turbines tend to generate less energy than large ones. Small turbines are those classified to generate less than 100KW. As a rule of the thumb, small turbines are costly to maintain in comparison to large turbines. Other variants of turbines exist which need further investigation.
Possible Environmental Impacts
The positive environmental impact is the fact that wind power reduces emissions and also reduce the effects of climate change. These positive impacts can ensure that the country can achieve its targets such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Zimbabwe has committed to reducing emissions from the energy sector by 33%. Wind projects are associated with environmental impacts which require mitigation. Although studies worldwide have confirmed that wind projects generate an average noise level of about 50 Decibels (dB), there have been no confirmed effects on hearing loss. The noise generation exists and it is hard to ignore. There have been environmental impacts related to wind projects regarding death of birds, due to collisions with wind turbines. In planning for wind projects, mitigation measures should be crafted to deal with these negative environmental issues in order to make the wind projects sustainable. Potential investors intending to invest in wind energy in Zimbabwe should develop Environmental Management Plans (EMP) to deal with these environmental impacts. Moreover, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) should be carried out for wind projects in accordance to national policy requirements.
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