South Africa boasts some incredibly good wind resources. Our studies indicate that not only does South Africa have very high levels of wind, but that that the wind also blows at times that are ideal for peak demand. In winter, when demand for electricity peaks, many areas of the country experience their windiest months, causing the resource to dovetail perfectly with demand. Additionally, different areas of the country can be windy at different times of year, meaning that wind energy can provide a well-balanced support of the local grid. Global installed wind energy capacity is currently over 155 GW of installed capacity, more than 3 times the entire installed generation capacity of South Africa.

Currently the state owned energy company (Eskom) can generate some 42 GW of electricity to meet the demand of South Africa's growing economy. This power generating capacity is, however, heavily dependant on coal, which supplies approximately 93% of its production. In the future, social and environmental pressure will require South Africa to shift into a new paradigm of low carbon energy production.

The government believes that renewable energy will satisfy the conditions required for a future low carbon economy, and also provide low cost energy services.

Of all the renewable energy technology that is currently deployable at utilityscale, wind energy is the most developed and provides the lowest cost option. Furthermore, development of this technology in South Africa will lead to the creation of a new industry with a high potential for job creation, contributing positively to improving the social conditions of South Africans.

In 2009 the South African government approved the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT). For the first time renewable energy companies were able to create realistic, accurate business models, based on the new tariffs. In 2009, these favourable market conditions lead to the birth of Plan 8 (PTY) Ltd, South Africa.
This is an exciting time for South Africa's energy sector. Finally legislation has insured that renewable energy can finally find its rightful place in our future. With some of the worlds highest solar and wind resources; South Africa is ideally positioned to create a dependable, reliable and affordable energy future for all South Africans.

Plan 8 handles a complete range of services, providing everything that is needed from the inception phase to the final successful realisation of a wind farm project. The Plan 8 office oversees and co-ordinates all of the relevant processes, including site planning and all of the commercial, technical and legal aspects of the business . Tasks which demand specialised knowledge are assigned to a external service providers, from landscape architects, specialists for grid connection, meteorologists, geologists, ornithologists, land surveyors, noise control experts and lawyers.