Johannesburg - Nedbank Group [JSE:NED] has opened South Africa's first wind-powered branch in the Western Cape town of Du Noon, making it the first to derive its energy from a sustainable energy source.
The new branch will be powered by wind turbines installed by Eveready Kestrel Wind Turbines, which will generate all its electrical power needs.
The existing power grid will act as back-up energy source when there is no wind energy to power the branch.
Dave Schwegmann, managing executive of the Branch Network, said the lack of access to traditional banking services can restrain development.
Other green projects include a plan to combine solar panels with a wind turbine to provide electricity to a youth and family development centre in Athlone.