Why Solar Alone Isn't Enough: Wind’s Vital Role in the Clean Energy Mix
As businesses face rising electricity costs and decarbonisation pressure, combining solar and wind energy offers a sustainable solution that reduces carbon footprints, saves costs and ensures long-term price certainty.
Electricity prices in South Africa have increased by 31.4% over the past two years, driving businesses to seek cost-effective alternatives (1). At the same time, carbon regulations, like Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and impending local carbon taxes, are putting pressure on companies to decarbonise or face penalties. As a result, many have turned to solar energy. Solar offers a cost-effective renewable energy source during daylight hours and, in many instances, can be installed on-site.
For businesses with operations restricted to daylight hours, solar might be able to cover a high percentage of your electricity needs, significantly reduce energy costs and lower their carbon footprint.
However, for industries like mining, manufacturing, data centres and others with 24/7 operations, solar alone can’t cover the constant electricity demand. This is where wind energy becomes vital. Wind energy generates at different times throughout the day and night, providing a strong complement to solar energy. With this combination, companies can seamlessly transition to low-carbon electricity and save money.
Wind energy is particularly important for energy intensive industries that are facing increasing pressure to decarbonise from regulators, consumers, and global markets. Especially for exporters facing international carbon regulations, like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in Europe, access to high levels of renewable energy is no longer just desirable—it’s essential.
By utilising both wind and solar energy, businesses not only reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, but also their electricity costs, whilst contributing to a more sustainable and reliable electricity system in South Africa.
First Come First Serve
The challenge for businesses looking to access wind is that there are few places left where new wind projects can connect to the grid without requiring major grid upgrades, which can take a long time to complete. Businesses that don’t act quickly may be left behind, relying solely on solar in the near to medium term as a clean energy solution.
By securing wind energy now, companies can ensure a more stable, long-term energy supply, positioning themselves to stay competitive and meet both current and future regulatory and consumer demands.
Etana Energy’s tailored renewable energy solutions combine wind and solar, offering businesses the ability to achieve up to 70% renewable energy coverage, reduce carbon footprints, and stay competitive in the global market. Now is the time to act—to secure your share of wind power that can connect to the grid in the near future and before regulatory pressures intensify.
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