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We live in Milnerton, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. Milnerton is known to be in one of the most windy parts of Cape Town and as part of our off-grid system design it made sense to research installing a wind turbine. We decided that looks, quietness and great testimonials from existing users should be three of the most important features of the turbine and we have selected the 1KW Upwind Turbine from FuturEnergy in the UK.
On 29th October 2008, we submitted plans to the Blaauwberg Subcouncil regarding the erection of a nine metre wind turbine pole with the 1.8 metre diameter wind turbine on top of it. We included a case study about the turbine and the very little noise it makes as well as comments by someone who loves watching a turbine in his neighbours garden. We selected a turbine that doesn’t make any more noise than the noise that trees make. The turbine’s decibels are similar to the background noise one finds in an office.
On 10th November 2008, council told us we needed to perform an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). We asked if we could do these ourselves and were advised that we could subject to requesting exemption from having to appoint a professional. Note that towers up to 15 metres can be installed without permission for radio amateurs, lighting purposes, flagpoles and lightning conductor poles.
We sent in an “Application to Apply form” and then got our EIA reference number. With this number, we advised in the local newspapers and stated visiting all 45 properties within 100 metres of the border of the property. These properties included 43 houses and two blocks for flats (body corporates).
Our application has proceeded smoothly and we have received support from our neighbours and local council. The plans are currently with the Provincial Administration of the Western Cape (PAWC) and we look forward to their reply.
On 5th March 2009, our application was approved.
The turbine was erected in April 2009 and is producing energy.
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