The latest data released by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) shows that Africa and the Middle East installed 962 MW capacity of onshore wind power in 2018, an increase of more than 300 MW compared to 2017. 

Top three markets in thet region last year were Egypt (380 MW), Kenya (310 MW) and Morocco (120 MW).

Ben Backwell, ceo of GWEC, said: “GWEC is especially watching the development in the Middle East. In January 2019, Saudi Arabia awarded 400 MW to build the first commercial onshore wind farm in the Middle East. The bid of USD21.30 per KWh proves the competitiveness of onshore wind.”

Karin Ohlenforst, director of market intelligence at GWEC, added: “After two years with lower installations, Africa and Middle East reached almost 1 GW of new wind capacity, reaching a similar level as in 2015 (983 MW). The outlook is that Africa and Middle East will add more than 1 GW each year of new wind capacity.

“Even though, no new capacity was installed in South Africa during 2018, during the summer state utility Eskom signed power purchase agreements from previous auction rounds. Further, the industry expects the fifth round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Program (REIPPPP) to take place during H1 2019,” she added.

This article is taken from the Capital Projects and Contracts newsletter. 

Topics