In November 2006, the UK Foreign Ministry offset their 2004 air travel emissionsEmissions of greenhouse gases, greenhouse gas precursors, and aerosols associated with human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, land-use changes, livestock, fertilisation, etc. (IPCC) via CERs from a 10MW South African wind farmA group of wind turbines interconnected to a common power provider system through a system of transformers, distribution lines, and (usually) one substation. Operation, control, and maintenance functions are often centralized through a network of computerized monitoring systems, supplemented by ... developed by Genesis Eco-Energy. Now more than two years later, Mainstream Renewable Power has signed a joint venture deal for the development of 500MW of wind power in South Africa. Mainstream’s founders are the former senior management of Airtricity who sold their windWind occurs due to different temperature levels in the atmosphere (troposphere) which are heated up by the sun. A typical example are the trade winds at the equator where the sun is most powerful.. porfolio in the United States to E.ON. In January 2008, Southern and Scottish EnergyThe ability to perform work, mainly kinetic, potential, thermal energy, but also in forms of gravitational, sound, elastic and electromagnetic energy. purchased Airtricity for EUR 2.1 billion.

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Mainstream is now targeting the “next layer” of wind rich countries… in the developing world. In South Africa, Mainstream has teamed up with Genesis Eco-Energy. Genesis plans to begin construction on two wind farms totalling 70MW as early as next year. Developing 500MW of wind in South Africa will require more than $1.15 billion in project finance.

In addition to developing wind farmsA group of wind turbines interconnected to a common power provider system through a system of transformers, distribution lines, and (usually) one substation. Operation, control, and maintenance functions are often centralized through a network of computerized monitoring systems, supplemented by ... in Chile, Canada and Poland, Mainstream is also focusing on offshore wind in the UK.

What’s nice about this story is that the Renewable EnergyRenewable energy is power generated from infinite sources, such as wind or solar power. Conventional energy is generated from finite sources, such as natural gas or fossil oil. and Energy EfficiencyUsing less energy/electricity to perform the same function. Programs designed to use electricity more efficiently - doing the same with less. Partnership (REEEPThe Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) is a non-profit, specialist change agent aiming to catalyse the market for renewable energy and energy efficiency, with a primary focus on emerging markets and developing countries.) was the facilitator of the UK Foreign Ministry’s carbon offset, the revenues were critical to Genesis Eco-Energy developing their first ever wind farm. The experienced gained from this 10MW farm has provided Genesis the credibility to partner with Mainstream, a massive global wind player.

It shows that small initial steps taken to support developing world actors, can later catalyze large scale renewable energy development.