This is according to the The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) , and comes as South Africa and the world face massive oil and gas price hikes. 

The association highlights the opportunity to build private generation plants by independent producers, as the country contends with rolling blackouts.

ALSO READ: Koffiefontein Mine clears water draining blockage

There is concern around the impact of diesel price hikes on Eskom - which uses diesel generators to supplement power from its coal powered plants.

#PowerAlert1

Loadshedding will be reduced to Stage 3 from 21:00 tonight until 05:00 on Friday. Thereafter Stage 2 will be implemented until 05:00 on Monday, as previously
communicated. pic.twitter.com/R7eh9KSVgq

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 10, 2022

SAWEA’s chief executive officer Niveshen Govender, says while there are many alternatives, renewable energy is by far the most feasible.

ALSO READ: Eskom escalates rolling blackouts to Stage Four

“We have more demand for electricity than we can supply as a country. So, any new generation capacity that will be brought on line will be helpful and useful to combat the load-shedding challenges that we’re facing.  We’ve already as a country installed 5 gigawatts of renewable energy, of which 3.3 is wind energy. So, given the right market conditions, I believe renewable energy, and wind energy specifically, can achieve more power to the grid quicker and cheaper,” says Govender.

SABC