South Africa connects another 120MW wind energy to national grid
London, Dec. 24, 2020 (AltAfrica)-A new 120mw of wind energy projected to serve about 125,000 households in South Africa has been connected to the country’s national grid
The latest addition to the national grid is part of the government’s most recent Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement (REIPPPP) bid round, which is set to collectively add 1.3GW of new wind power capacity to South Africa’s dwindling energy
“We are pleased to announce the successful commissioning of all forty-eight wind turbine generators as the year draws to an end and we prepare to have our portfolio in operations in the next quarter,” says Robert Skjodt, CEO of BioTherm Energy, which has developed a pipeline of 384MW wind and solar projects in South Africa and Kenya.
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In a statement, BioTherm Energy says the 120MW Golden Valley Wind Energy Facility, in the Eastern Cape, achieved this key milestone on Tuesday this week, ahead of its expected commercial operations scheduled for the first quarter of next year.
It notes that the plant additionally celebrated a million hours without a lost-time-incident, during the construction period.
BioTherm Energy notes that this independent power producer is expected to generate over 477GWh of renewable power each year, equivalent to the energy needs of approximately 120 000 households, and has been constructed by a team comprising 98% South Africans.
Located approximately 5km from Cookhouse, on 9 000 hectares of farm land, this wind farm is connected to the grid through an on-site substation and a dedicated 132kV power line connecting to the Kopleegte substation.
BioTherm Energy, which is wholly owned by Actis, has a portfolio of five projects in Africa. These include Aggeneys Solar, Konkoonsies II Solar, Excelsior Wind Energy Facility and Golden Valley Wind Energy Facility under the REIPPPP and the Kipeto Wind project, which is under construction in Kenya
With wind contributing 52% of South Africa’s renewable supply and forecast to contribute 59% of renewable power-related emissions reductions over project lifespans, it is irrefutable that the wind industry is a force to be reckoned with in taking the country’s energy mix to greater heights.
