Eastern Cape-based Adventure Power has been making strides in the local and international wind energy market. The company is the only local manufacturer of medium-sized wind turbines in South Africa and was recently the recipient of a Firm Technology Assistance Package from the Technology Localisation Implementation Unit (TLIU). The TLIU is a Department of Science and Technology initiative, hosted by the CSIR.

Adventure Power General Manager, Mark Ristow says, “We have optimised our product using the tools that the TLIU assisted us to acquire. The response from the market has been very positive. We have noticed that in January 2016, we had more enquiries than any other period before. The exciting part is that these enquiries have come from all over the world - the USA, the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.

“We have numerous projects for the year that are at various stages of development and if all goes well, we are hoping for a turnover in excess of R40 million this year.” This is a significant increase in revenue compared to previous years prior to TLIU’s involvement, when we didn’t have much, if anything, to report on regarding our turnover, an indicator of our company’s rapid growth.

Ristow reveals that Adventure Power is taking steps to address increased production and the anticipated skills shortage, “We have been offering employment to young engineers from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the Walter Sisulu University of Technology, providing them with training in the manufacturing of the wind turbines. Currently, we have four new employees in the electrical engineering field from these universities. This is part of our regional skills development initiative that we have embarked on.”

Adventure Power follows a strategic model of recruiting students from the surrounding universities.

“We believe in supporting local talent. We chose these graduates because they come from the Eastern Cape, therefore, they will be contributing to the gross domestic product of this province,” Ristow explains.

Ristow anticipates continued job growth in the near future. “As our projects move to more advanced stages, we plan to employ another six people, based on the same model.

“For now, Adventure Power has a good story and we hope it continues in the future. We are also very grateful for all the support we have received from the project manager, Lorraine Shikwane, as well as the TLIU over the years.”

Shikwane cites Adventure Power as “one of the many TLIU TAP companies that have continued to make great strides in their business, including being internationally competitive since receiving technological assistance, while at the same time addressing the socio-economic issues by offering employment to the youth.”