KBB2 Wind Notes is a small, independent website written from Cape Town. It does two things: it explains how wind and solar power work in plain English, and it keeps a journal of the stadiums, theatres, gardens and waterfront spots that make a good day out in the city. The two halves sit together more naturally than you might think. Anyone who has walked along the Atlantic seaboard while the south-easter is blowing has felt, quite literally, what a wind turbine is built to catch.
What we are, and what we are not
We want to be clear from the start, because this web address has had a previous life. KBB2 Wind Notes is not an association. We have no members, no board, no membership fees and no newsletter subscriptions to sell. We do not develop, finance or broker energy projects, and we are not affiliated with any energy company, government department, utility or industry body. We sell nothing at all.
That independence shapes how we write. We do not promote particular technologies, companies or schemes. Where a question is genuinely contested, such as how quickly a grid can absorb new wind and solar, or how projects should share benefits with nearby communities, we try to set out the main considerations rather than pick a side.
What you will find here
- Wind Basics: how turbines turn moving air into electricity, why height and wind speed matter, and the difference between capacity and actual output.
- Country Notes: general explainers on what shapes a country's wind and solar potential, from coastlines and highlands to grid size and financing.
- Projects Explained: the usual journey of a wind project from first idea to switching on.
- Events: getting more out of energy talks and trade fairs, and the Cape Town venues that host big gatherings.
- Resources: how to find trustworthy information and read reports with a critical eye.
- Cape Town Days Out: our notes on places worth a visit, from Kirstenbosch to the V&A Waterfront.
How we handle facts
Energy is a fast-moving field. Policies change, projects are announced and cancelled, and figures quoted one year can be out of date the next. For that reason our explainers deliberately avoid statistics, capacity figures and project names. We focus on the principles that stay true, and we encourage readers to check current official sources, such as national energy regulators, statistics offices and utilities, before relying on any number for a decision.
For our days-out pages we stick to well-documented background about each place and general visiting tips. Opening times, ticket prices and event programmes change often, so always check the venue's own website before you set off.
Corrections and tips
If you spot an error or have a suggestion for a topic we should explain, we would genuinely like to hear from you. Visit the Contact page to get in touch by email. Please bear in mind that, as an independent explainer, we cannot answer membership, investment or project enquiries.