Renewable energy company Seriti Green has announced the start of commercial operations at its Ummbila Emoyeni wind farm in Mpumalanga, providing a fresh source of clean energy for the area’s coal mining sector
The launch in South Africa follows the completion of 25 turbines, the first 155 MW phase of the energy project.
It forms part of a planned 900 MW renewable energy programme in Mpumalanga province, supported by new Vunumoya transmission and substation infrastructure, also delivered by Seriti Green.
At the launch event, the company also signed a new agreement for a further R10bn (US$619mn) of investment – bringing the total to R25bn (US$1.5bn) – for two further phases of development, working with strategic partners Goldwind, Tractionel and Stefanutti Stocks, and customers including energy traders Etana, Energy Exchange and NOA.
Mike Teke, chairman of Seriti Green, flagged the significance of “coal and renewables together” adding that “in just a few years, working closely with government, we have delivered.”
Seriti Green has also opened a new Mpumalanga headquarters in Bethal in support of its work.
Peter Venn, CEO of Seriti Green, also hailed the significance of the wind power project in one of South Africa’s key mining regions.
“It is the result of hard work by people who were determined to prove that South Africa can build infrastructure of global significance, attract investment at scale, and help secure our nation’s energy future,” he said.
The project thus far has accumulated more than three million hours of work, with not a single lost-time injury, he added.
“When we gather again, we will not simply be celebrating another wind farm, we will be demonstrating that wind farms, solar farms and batteries can form part of a sustainable future for South Africa, and the energy transition is just, transforming communities and industries, presenting opportunities while decarbonising to impact climate change.”
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Seriti Green unveils Mpumalanga wind farm
Launch ceremony for the new Mpumalanga wind farm (Image source: Seriti Green)
