that's all With 30 utility-scale wind projects currently operating across South Africa, wind is accelerating as a key component of the country's energy mix.
Indeed, the wind energy sector is gaining momentum as more projects come online as part of the government's Renewable Energy Independent Power Procurement Program (REIPPP).
South Africa leads the way in Africa, accounting for 30% of the continent's 9GW of installed wind capacity, according to the South African Wind Energy Association (Sawea).
Saware expects the sector to launch 3.2GW of new projects through REIPPP bid slot 7, which closes for submissions on April 30, with an additional 3GW in the pipeline through ongoing negotiations. It has been suggested that it is already in development.
Read: Construction begins on South Africa's largest wind farm
But of the more than 30 wind farms currently producing energy in South Africa, where are the largest and how much electricity do they produce?
TechCentral is looking at the 10 largest wind farms across the country.
1. Roggefeld, 147MW
The Roggeveld wind farm is a 147MW project owned by Red Rocket. The farm is located along the mountain border between the Western and Northern Capes, near the towns of Laingsburg, Majesfontein and Sutherland. The Roggeveld wind farm will generate approximately 613GWh per year, meeting the energy needs of approximately 49,200 households.
2. Soeto Water, 147MW
The Soetwater wind farm, owned by Enel Green Power and located in a remote area of the Karoo-Hoogland municipality in the Northern Cape, produces 585GWh of energy annually and displaces 600,000 people.t Reduce annual carbon emissions and cover the energy needs of approximately 67,917 households. Construction of Soeto Water began in November 2019 and the plant became operational in his July 2022.
3. Galob, 145MW
The Garob wind farm, also owned by Enel Green Power, is located near the remote Northern Cape town of Kopperton in the city of Siyatemba and can generate 573GWh per year. The output from the 46 turbines is approximately 600,000 displacements.t Reduce carbon footprint and meet the energy requirements of an estimated 74,583 households. Construction of Garob began in April 2019, and the project was officially connected to the national grid in December 2021.
4. Ryugen Muriro, 144MW
The Muriro facility, owned by China Longyuan Power Group, consists of 96 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 1.5MW. The wind farm is located 15km southwest of Dears. Commercial energy production at Mulilo began in November 2017.
5. Kobab, 140.3MW
Located in the Hantam Municipality area, 60 km north of Roriesfontein in the Northern Cape, the Kobab Wind Farm is spread over 8,500 acres of agricultural land and consists of 61 wind turbines, each 99 meters high. When fully operational, Kobab is expected to generate approximately 563GWh per year, powering up to 170,000 homes in South Africa and displacing approximately 550,000 people.t Annual carbon dioxide emissions. Khobab is owned by a consortium consisting of the Khobab Renewable Energy Community Trust and Thebe Investment Corporation, led by Dutch company Lekela.
6. Laurisfontein, 140.3MW
Loeriesfontein is the twin of the Kobab wind farm and is owned by the same consortium. The wind farm is spread over approximately 8,500 acres of farmland and consists of 61 wind turbines, each 99 meters high. Laurisfontein produces 535 GWh of energy annually, securing the energy needs of up to 161,300 South African households and her 550,000 displaced residents.t Annual carbon emissions.
7.Khalsa, 140MW
The 147MW Calusa Wind Farm was connected to the grid in 2022. Another project by Enel Green Power, the Calusa Wind Farm, is located in the Karoo Hegland district of the Northern Cape. The project will generate more than 500GWh of electricity per year and has the potential to avoid around 500,000GWh of emissions.t It pumps carbon into the atmosphere and powers 74,269 homes. According to Enel Green Power's website, the Vestas V136-4.2MW wind turbine used at Calusa is the largest in Africa.
8. Oyster Bay, 140MW
The Oyster Bay wind farm, also developed by Enel Green Power, has 41 wind turbines and is located near the coastal town of Oyster Bay in the Kouga municipality in the Eastern Cape province. The project will generate 568GWh per year, powering 79,444 homes. Construction began in 2019 and the site became operational in 2021.
9. Nshuva, 139MW
This wind farm in Nxuba, Eastern Cape is near the rural town of Bedford. Nxuba produces 460GWh of electricity annually, powering 63,889 homes. Construction began in 2018 and was completed in September 2020. This site started his energy production in 2021.
10. Galley, 138.6MW
Cookhouse Wind Farm is owned by various funds managed by Old Mutual, African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) and local community trusts. The wind farm consists of 66 Suzlon S88 (2.1MW) wind turbine generators with an installed capacity of 138.6MW. It is located 7 km east of Cookhouse in the Blue Crane Root municipality of the Eastern Cape and covers an area of 6,400 acres. Construction of the wind farm began in February 2013, and it first supplied power to the grid in March 2014. It can supply 341GWh of energy to the national grid annually. This is enough for him to power 43,000 middle-income households while 384,000 people were evacuated.t Annual carbon dioxide emissions. — (c)2024 NewsCentral Media