Connecting the continent with business intelligence
The turbines form part of the huge EDF Renewables’ construction project of the Koruson1 cluster of three wind farms – Phezukomoya, San Kraal and Coleskop – outside Middelburg and Noupoort.
‘The scale of the Koruson1 project is massive with the three sites spread across 50km2. There are 78 wind turbines that will be installed on concrete towers, now being assembled and erected across the three sites. The 124m-high concrete towers each comprise 50 keystones, all manufactured locally at aconcrete tower factory outside Middelburg,’ according to EDF Renewables.
Each wind farm has acapacity of 140MW, with atotal installed capacity of 420MW. ‘This makes it the biggest wind farm ever built in Africa. The total investment in the project is ZAR11billion.’ In addition to the three wind farms, amain transmission station and three substations are under construction to transmit the power to Eskom.
The project is part of Round5 of the country’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement programme, aimed at reducing South Africa’s dependence on coal-fired power.
Koruson1 is just one of the many wind projects under way in South Africa. In July, for example, Seriti Green launched the first phase of the company’s ZAR25billion wind farm project in the Mpumalanga province.
Seriti Green plans to build 900MW of wind energy projects over the next three years, with the first phase being the 155MW Ummbila Emoyeni site, according to the company. Construction on the facility is currently under way and is expected to be completed in mid-2026. It will cost close to ZAR5billion.
This is Seriti Green’s first project since Seriti Resources, one of the country’s biggest coal miners, acquired Windlab and subsequently launched Seriti Green in 2023.
Meanwhile, the booming wind energy industry has allowed further manufacturing opportunities. In the Eastern Cape, awind turbine concrete tower factory is nearing completion. Located in Jeffreys Bay, about 1.5hours from the Port of Ngqura, the factory will ‘produce 120m-high towers for three wind farms with acombined capacity of 336MW, significantly boosting the country’s renewable energy share, enhancing energy security, while solidifying the region as aleading wind power zone with 13 wind farms,’ according to astatement from Nordex Energy South Africa, the developer.
‘The construction of the plant is stimulating the local economy and fostering growth in the local supply chain through increased demand for raw materials and related goods and services, which is benefiting local businesses and suppliers,’ says David Moncasi Hortet, head of sales for Africa at Nordex Energy South Africa.
While South Africa is best known for its solar resources it has ‘exceptional’ wind potential too, according to experts. A study by Siemens Gamesa, for instance, revealed that ‘South Africa’s high wind speeds – 12m/s at 100m height at the best sites, but on average 7.5m/s to 8m/s – do offer very favourable conditions for wind installations, particularly along the coastlines’.
Over the past decade, South Africa’s wind industry has attracted more than ZAR89billion in investments, creating in excess of 23000 jobs and powered at least 3million homes annually, says the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA). It adds that in the first quarter of 2024, wind technology accounted for 4.9% of the nation’s electricity produced, making it the leading renewable energy technology in South Africa.
South Africa’s wind energy capacity increased from 257MW in 2013 to 3442MW in 2023, according to Statista, and there are now more than 30 wind farms in operation.
Additionally, the country’s Integrated Resource Plan envisions adding another 14400MW of wind power by 2030. Apart from the provision of energy, ‘the rapid expansion of the wind industry requires adiverse array of skills and roles’, notes SAWEA.
‘The wind industry requires ablend of technical, policy, legal and environmental expertise across the full value chain. We are seeing an increasing need for professionals in monitoring and control systems, AI-based maintenance and data analysis,’ says Santosh Sookgrim, senior technical advisor at SAWEA.
SAWEA says that to meet these needs the industry is actively expanding its talent pool. ‘Initiatives such as SAWEA’s Wind Industry Internship programme are essential in attracting new graduates. Furthermore, the sector is tapping into related industries and upskilling workers through short courses and on-the-job training, such as SAWEA’s Management Development Programme for Women in Renewable Energy. Ensuring accessibility and opportunities for entry remains apriority to sustain this growth,’ according to the organisation.
The wind industry’s contribution to South Africa’s economic and environmental goals is undeniable. ‘As the country continues to embrace renewable energy, the job opportunities created by this sector will play acrucial role in driving sustainable development and prosperity for future generations,’ states SAWEA.
‘The wind industry’s future in South Africa is promising, with job growth projections closely tied to the sector’s expansion. As the demand for renewable energy rises, so will the need for askilled workforce,’ says Sookgrim.
‘However, challenges such as regulatory hurdles, grid integration and the need for continuous innovation remain. These challenges need to be addressed through strategic planning, enhanced training programmes, policies that support sustainable growth and collaboration between industry and government.
‘We are committed to meeting today’s energy needs and ensuring asustainable and prosperous future,’ he says. By investing in technological innovation, skills development and community engagement, the wind industry can be acatalyst for transformative economic and environmental change.
