Renewable Energy - Power
Author: Teri Kruger- juwi Renewable Energies (Pty) Ltd
( Article Type: Explanation )
Increased socio-economic activity in remote areas
Many new jobs will be created in this sector, both within South Africa and worldwide. Skilled trades and service companies that are involved in manufacturing; construction; maintenance and management of systems are needed for generating renewable energies. Instead of spending money on importing raw materials, this can be better used to create local jobs and new sources of income from related businesses and sales tax sources or leasing.
In a recent initiative aimed at establishing a national facility for the development of technological and human resource capacities in the wind and renewable energy sector for South Africa (the SA Wind Energy Centre), the requirements for a successful wind power sector calculated the projected number of staff to be trained for the wind power sector of South Africa in each year. Taking the Integrated Resource Plan 2010 wind capacity development scenario (2011 – 2030) as a basis, the resulting figures for training needs are on average, per year, as follows: 668 engineers; 892 technicians; 1,127 skilled workers; 742 other staff (of a very diverse group)
So besides having clean renewable energy entering the electrical supply system in South Africa, this measure alone would have significant employment effects – creating up to 200, 000 new jobs in the next few years.
Increased revenue for large users or municipalities
Whilst contributing to climate protection and environmental conservation, the use of renewable energy offers economic benefits that are particularly apparent on a regional and local level, especially in rural or remote areas. Future-orientated technologies like renewable energy promotes supply reliability, stable energy prices and direct investments. In addition to taking advantage of the lower operational costs which characterise renewable energies, large energy users can also have the opportunity to strengthen their independence from erratic oil and gas imports from crisis regions. Renewable energy systems can improve reliability of supply because it is easier to compensate for breakdowns with many small regenerative energy plants than with just a few large power plants.
Large energy users and landowners can earn revenue from leases; while local authorities can earn revenue from a direct supply opportunity and from increased business revenues. Investors are also provided with a lucrative and low risk investment because the natural resources provide a free raw material, regardless of economic instability or changes. Furthermore, many countries have fixed feed-in tariffs that guarantee secure returns for the entire lifetime of a plant or system spanning over 20 years.
Independence of imports is not an end in itself, but it increases self-sufficiency and new opportunities. For a local authority, this can mean that it can generate revenue in areas where previously it incurred costs. The funds freed up by utilising renewable energy can be used to benefit the members of the community, in education, health and child care, or their social investment projects. Along with the new local jobs that can be created, there is also the opportunity to market the successful renewable energy projects to the tourism industry, providing the community a chance to improve its image. This factor will become increasingly valuable as ‘green’ initiatives take on more political importance. Profitable income stream for farmers The majority of renewable power generation plants will be focused on large tracts of land that are well away from major developments. The owner of the land can lease all or a part of their land, incurring no cost or time expenditure – and benefit from attractive and secure leasing revenue for over 20 years in grid-connected systems, whilst continuing with their farming or existing income-generating activities. Similarly, off-grid solutions can benefit consumers’ such as large industry, hotels, hospitals or schools, for example in remote or in developing countries to advance their productivity.
Conclusion
Renewable energy is a growing trend worldwide and all of the world’s power supply can be generated using renewable energies. Conventional energy sources are finite and increasingly expensive whilst natural resources like biomass, hydro, geothermal, wind and solar are infinite and free of charge. The price of renewable energy technology is decreasing and advancements are showing greater efficiencies. In addition they add value locally by creating and safeguarding jobs, improving local infrastructure and increasing tax and leasing revenues. Investors are also provided with a lucrative and low risk investment. Thus renewable energies allows the opportunity to take control and manage sustainable energy generation; immediately, decentralised, and, secure for the future.
