As Africa’s star proceeds to rise and governments are turning out to be increasingly aware of the importance of delivering electricity beyond industrial and city boundaries, EnergyNet is calling on African Energy Ministers to support ‘Wind for Prosperity’, a sustainable approach to deliver electricity to remote villages throughout the continent With more than 1.3 billion people throughout the globe lacking access to affordable and reliable electricity, creating dramatic consequences for human health, education, and economic well-being ‘Wind for Prosperity’ can support government’s plans for industrial electrification by delivering electricity beyond the grid, according to EnergyNet. EnergyNet further stated: “ ‘Wind for Prosperity’ will create a world of new opportunities by accelerating access to clean water, irrigation, communications infrastructure, healthcare, education and other social and economic benefits. It is different to most other corporate initiatives to alleviate poverty as the concept is commercially based and is more scalable and sustainable than efforts purely reliant on philanthropy and donations – it is business as a force for good.” Morten Albæk, Group Senior Vice President and CMO of Vestas also commented “Each day at Vestas we think about solutions to make the world’s energy mix more sustainable and maintain our position as the technology developer and global wind leader. “With more than 61 GW of installed wind turbines, composed of nearly 19 percent of total global capacity, we understand the significance of delivering viable energy programmes and we’re delighted to partner with EnergyNet in Africa to raise the opportunities of delivering electricity to crucial corners of the continent, often overlooked because of challenging financial conditions.” Simon Gosling, EnergyNet’s MD further added, “The potential for such an off-grid solution to support government objectives is great both economically and politically and we’re pleased to partner with Vestas on such a potentially game changing venture; indirectly supporting industrial development, directly supporting local development.” “Excitingly, ‘Wind for Prosperity’ ties in with our own ‘EnergyNet Student Engagement Initiative (ESEI)’ which supports African student engineers from all over the continent where we’re supporting the development of nationals from across the continent, providing opportunities which otherwise may not be realised. ‘Wind for Prosperity’ is a similar venture and one we hope governments will give full backing to help succeed,” explained Gosling.
