Wind power / powering community development

Residents of the Tsitsikamma community of Wittekleibosch in the Eastern Cape are today celebrating social investments from diversified resources group Exxaro Resources Limited (Exxaro) and wind energy company Watt Energy.

Together with the Tsitsikamma Development Trust, the two companies are partners in the Tsitsikamma Community Wind Farm Project. They are currently conducting a pre-feasibility study into the development of a 40MW wind farm in the region. The study will continue until third quarter 2011.

The investment in the community kicked off earlier this month with the electrification of the local Amamfengu Primary School. Earlier today the joint venture partners presented a cheque for R90 000 to the neighbouring Clarkson Primary School to upgrade its ablution facilities.

Exxaro chief executive officer, Sipho Nkosi says the donations form part of Exxaro’s socio-economic development programme which is aimed at benefiting communities in which the company operates. “Exxaro’s vision is ‘through our innovation and growth we will be a powerful source of endless possibilities’. He says Exxaro is committed to good corporate citizenship and considering the impact of its business operations on local communities. “The Tsitsikamma wind farm study is one of several underway by Exxaro in the wind, solar and co-generation renewable energy arenas,” he adds.

“As social entrepreneurs, we at Watt Energy take great pride in the developments that are taking place here today. Through providing the community with what we so often take for granted, electricity in our classrooms, we are showing that it is not only possible, but essential for us as the private sector to assist government and to no longer place our country’s social issues solely at the doorstep of government,” says Mcebisi Msizi, CEO of Watt Energy.

This article was originally posted on Sustainable Development Africa Platform