By David Masango, tel: (012) 314-2230

The Nelson Mandela Metro is pursuing the possibility of employing renewal energy sources by installing wind-generating turbines within the area.

The metro said the move was prompted by phenomena such as climate change that lead to catastrophic environmental problems.

"Climate changes are arguably one of the greatest environmental threats the world is facing. The impact of disruptive change leading to catastrophic events such as storms, droughts, and sea level rises and floods are already being felt across the world.

"Urgent steps are therefore necessary to curb these problems in future. These reasons prompted the NMMM to take the lead in actively pursuing renewal energy sources in order to create a safer environment for its residents," the Metro explained.

In this regard, the metro's Committee on Infrastructure, Engineering and Energy has recommended the collection of all available wind data from different resources in order to access the wind potential for wind generation throughout the Metro.

It has also recommended that the Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs be approached to get clarity on possible subsidies for wind generation projects as well as to get clarity whether such projects will be supported in principle.

Specific industries will also be approached for their commitment to buy Wind Generated electricity and that about R200 000 be allocated to install three wind-monitoring sites to access the wind potential in the NMMM.

If all goes well, the local authority will consider the installation of a pilot project for wind generation and develop a green city policy.

"This could mean that major multinational and national companies will support the NMMM actively," the Metro said. - BuaNews