Introduction to Wind Power Facility - over 3 years ago

The first of 5 Capacity Building Workshops for community leaders in and around the Kouga Koukamma Municipality blew off last week, 24 – 25 September 2009. The workshops where well supported as it was attended by 24 Delegates, all of whom came eager and excited to be empowered.

The Delegates arrived early the Thursday morning for the Workshops. All delegates where invited for a big breakfast before the sessions started. The sessions kicked of at 9 am when ECCWEDA Chairman; Mr. Mcebisi Michael Msizi welcomed all and declared the workshop open. Amongst the attendees for the event was the Mayor of the Jeffreys’ Bay area that addressed the group and expressed his appreciation and support for the project. Shortly after the Mayor’s speech Dr. W. O. Barnard addressed the group with an informative and insightful look into the shocking world of Electricity generation and distribution methods in South Africa. The floor was opened for a questions and answer session after which the group went for a quick tea.

Upon return ECCWEDA Chairman, Mr. Msizi addressed the group on the Background of ECCWEDA and how it was started. He explained the organisations association with Denmark and the circumstances and conditions under which the funding was obtained. Mr. Msizi handed over to ECCWEDA General Secretary Mr. Mark Scheepers who further explained the complex process of setting up a wind farm and later answered some questions from the floor. The group was released for a heavenly lunch upon which they received some free time with the last of the sessions to follow.

The Group returned for the 3rd session during which the ECCWEDA Website was introduced to them followed by a short session done jointly by Mr. Msizi and Mr. Scheepers. After the talk a the floor was opened for discussion during which the ECCWEDA team consisting of Chairman, Mr Mcebisi Msizi, General Secretary Mr. Mark Scheepers, Tsitsikamma Site Officer Mr. Tony Nonkonyana and Mr Mark Cattaneo answered questions from the floor.

The Workshops was declared closed and the group got settled into their rooms with the evening to be closed off with a Braai, seeing that it was National Braai Day after all.

The 2nd Day of the Workshop was set aside as the Certificate ceremony, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the certificates could not be handed out and the group got released straight after breakfast. In a brief interview with one of the delegates that attended the event, he said that He truly appreciated the workshop as he now feels better equipped.

Overall the Workshop was a huge success, as with many things in life, it was not without obstacles and challenges, but over all it will go down as a successful.

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