South Africa’s energy sector is largely fuelled by coal generated electricity. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, it has to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To enable this shift, renewable energies are increasingly being explored. Wind energy in particular has high potential for electricity generation, particularly in the well positioned coastal areas of the Western and Eastern Cape. Wind energy engineering involves the process of designing and implementing wind farms for the production of clean electrical energy.
Wind energy engineers consult with climatologists, geophysicists and other engineering professionals on the development and running of a wind farm. They work in offices and research and development laboratories and travel to sites to oversee the construction and inspection of wind turbines and related processes.
Wind energy engineers require a solid understanding and experience in the practical application of electrical or mechanical engineering and aerodynamic principles, along with:
Advise on and design wind power stations and systems
Supervise, control and monitor the operation of electrical generation, transmission and distribution
Establish control standards and procedures to monitor performance and safety
Determine maintenance and repair of existing power generation systems
B.Eng. in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering at NWU, SU, UJ and UP
B.Sc.Eng. in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering at UCT, UKZN and Wits
B.Sc.Eng. in Aeronautical Engineering at Wits
Diploma, Advanced Diploma, M.Tech in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering at CPUT, CUT, DUT, MUT, UNISA, VUT and WSU
Wind energy providers.
Manufacturing companies.
Energy agencies, partnerships and consultancies.
