Blackouts have become too common in south africa. The power industry is in doldrums and nothing much is being done about it except by one man. That man is Hermann Oelsner. Last year, when nationwide blackouts were being very common, Mr Oelsner put on the commercial launch of “Darling Wind Farm” which is planning to produce electricity for Cape Town city council.
Now, if given half a chance, he would change the landscape of south africa and put up wind turbines everywhere. He will also ensure that South Africa’s beleaguered power industry gets to breath fresh air.
He says that “Each turbine at full capacity can run 1,300 one-bar heaters per hour,” sitting in his office which seems to be full of old musical instruments and a small windmill wired up to an old-fashioned radio.
Compared to the national demand for power, what he produced may not be much but this might prove to be the key which can open up the power future.