Italian owned renewable energy developer Enel Green Power (EGP) has been awarded the rights to supply 425MW of wind power to state utility Eskom in South Africa as part of the fourth phase of the government’s REIPPPP (Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme) tender.
In line with REIPPPP rules, EGP took part in the tender through vehicle companies in which it holds the majority of the shares, in partnership with major local players.
EGP will build three wind projects (Oyster Bay – 142 MW, Nxuba – 141 MW and Karusa – 142 MW) in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces, in areas with abundant wind resources.
The Oyster Bay and Nxuba projects will be completed and enter into service in 2017, while Karusa will enter into service in 2018, EGP says.
Once fully operational, the three projects, which will require a total investment of about 500 million euros, will be able to generate around 1,560 GWh per year, thereby significantly contributing to meeting the rising demand for energy in South Africa in a way that is sustainable for the environment.
The new plants will join EGP’s 10 MW photovoltaic plant already operating in Upington (Northern Cape) and the 513 MW of projects awarded to the Company in the third phase of the REIPPPP tender.
South Africa reached 575MW of commissioned wind projects by end-2014, against just 10MW online a year earlier, according to the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA).
