South Africa switches on 1st wind farm amid electricity crisis, criticism over lack of renewable ...

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http://www.dailymail.com/News/200805230314

South Africa switches on 1st wind farm amid electricity crisis, criticism over lack of renewable energy

By CLARE NULLIS
Associated Press Writer

DARLING, South Africa (AP) -- South Africa's energy minister inaugurated the country's first wind farm Friday, acknowledging that the government has done too little to develop renewable energy over the past decade.

The wind farm will provide only a 100th of national energy needs -- and will not ease the acute electricity shortages afflicting South Africa -- but the country's minerals and energy minister called it a first key step.

"It has been a long road to reach this milestone,'' said Buyelwa Sonjica as she "switched on'' the turbines Friday, eight years after the wind farm first was proposed.

South Africa -- sunny and with a long, windy coastline -- has enormous potential for renewable energy, experts say. Despite getting more sunshine than Europe, the country it has done little to promote solar energy, while wind has the potential to meet at least 9 percent of its energy needs, Sonjica said.

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[aquart]

1. Rolling blackouts in Johannesburg.

Not helpful if you live in an elevator building.