While wind energy is not expected to generate a substantial share of this goal, it has steadily grown in Africa to 5.46 GW in 2018 from 739 MW in 2009. Almost 90 percent, or a combined 5.34 GW, of that is installed is in Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia and Ethiopia.

According to the Global Wind Energy Council, Africa and the Middle Easts onshore wind sectors are expected to install more than 2 GW each year, adding in excess of 6.5 GW of new capacity by 2023.

As the share of wind energy in Africas energy mix has grown, so has demand for high-performance lubricants. Components inside the nacelle – the housing for the yaw system, main shaft bearing, gearbox, generator and electrical control cabinet – require varying amounts of oils, greases and coolants for optimum performance and longevity.

Lubrication companies that have supplied the African wind energy sector include United States-based Amsoil; supermajors BP, Shell and ExxonMobil; German specialty lubricant and grease company Kluber; and Swedish bearing, seal and lube manufacturer SKF.

Determining the amount of lubricants needed for wind farms depends on factors such as the intervals for oil, grease and coolant replacement and the component to be lubricated. For example, the 46 turbines of the 158.7 MW Taiba NDiaye wind farm under development in Senegal will require an estimated 2,175 kilograms of oils, greases and coolants, according to the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, which released an interim report on the project.

The blades, bearings and generator of the Vestas V126 turbines at Taiba NDiaye will be lubricated by Kluber Kluberplex BEM41-141 high-temperature grease for rolling bearings. The pumping system will use Shell Gadus S5 T460 1.5 heavy-duty grease and SKF will supply LGWM 1, a mineral oil lithium soap grease for the main bearings. The hydraulic system will be filled with Texaco Rando WM 32 or Mobil DTE10-EXCEL 32 and the gear box will use Mobil SHC XMP 320 synthetic gear oil. Texaco Havoline will supply the coolants.

The replacement cycles range from 12 months for the Kluberplex and 10 years for the Shell Omala S4 WE, formerly Tivala S 220, which is used on the gear assemblies of the nacelle orientation motors.

However, innovation and the growing scale of turbines could also impact demand. Vestas recently introduced its V162-5.6 MW Enventus turbine, with a blade sweep area of more than 20,000 square meters, making it the largest rotor size the Danish company offers.

Introduction of larger wind turbines could lead to a reduction in the number of smaller turbines required to generate the same amount of power, reducing the required volume of lubricants.

The pace at which Africas wind energy market grows remains a key factor in determining the regions demand for wind turbine lubricants.

Steady volume is expected from Africa [and the] Middle East, based on the expectation that African governments stay true to their ambitions for wind and renewable energy – and project execution progresses, said GWECs 2018 annual report.

Aside from technology, factors such as government support for new wind farm projects and market competition will also likely shape demand trends for wind turbine lubricants in Africa.

Despite the prevailing optimism for the growth of the turbine and lubricant markets, governments in the region will have to address, lengthy administrative permitting processes, the slow inauguration of governmental schemes and guidelines for the setup and execution of power purchase agreements and the financial strength of available off-takers, according to GWEC.

Africas wind energy generation capacity is steadily growing and demand for lubrication products is expected to follow suit. New wind power projects and the maintenance of existing wind farms should continue providing suppliers of high-performance lubricants with the opportunity to strengthen their market position.