South Africa Ready to Catch a Wave

An agreement has been signed to build a500MW wave power plant in South Africa, one of the world’s most energy-stricken Western countries.

Blackbird International Corporation, through its wholly owned affiliate, (WERPO), and Wadamba Technovations, its partner in South Africa, will be setting up the plant. 

South Africa currently meets around 77 percent of its electricity demand primarily through the use of coal-fired power plants. While the country does have a substantial amount of coal available, the government has recognized the need to shift the reliance from fossil fuels to renewable sources. 

In order to achieve this transition, the South African government has allocated over $3.3 billion toward the development of alternative energy sources, with the goal of generating 18.2 GW of electricity through freshly erected green sources.

The government has particularly expressed the desire to take advantage of the country’s coastline as a way to achieve their alternative energy goals.

South Africa's nearly 3,000 km of coastline is the landing site for waves that are perfect for electricity generation with WERPO's sea-wave technology, says Blackbird.

This initial project is expected to generate in excess of $140,000,000 in revenue annually.

Daniel Naimi, head of operations at Blackbird, says, "This is the first of more projects in Africa. Each project will increase our revenue stream with the result of multiplying substantially shareholder value."

Blackbird plans to release news of additional contracts in the coming weeks.