There were nearly 10,000 wind pumps operating in Kenya in 1950, while today there are perhaps fewer than 300. After a decline similar to that elsewhere in the world, there are now more than 1 million wind pumps in use in South Africa today. 3.4 Wind generator pumps. Wind turbines use pumps similar to PV units. As with wind pumps, the wind regime needs to be studied carefully when choosing this option, and when siting the turbine.
Hydraulic rams are a tried and true technology that has been in use for a number of years.
Hydrorams use the energy from fast-moving streams to pump water, and can pump water up heads of 50 metres or more. A ram must be located either in a fast moving stream. This limits their application. 3.6 Petrol and diesel water pumps have been in use since the early part of the 20 th Century. Large, robust irrigation pumps can be found on the Nile that have been in operation for 70 years.