Cape Town - Ten of the Jeffreys Bay wind farm's wind turbines have now commenced supplying power to Eskom, one of the first wind farms in SA to do so.
“This marks the first step towards supplying enough clean, renewable electricity to power more than 114 000 South African homes and avoid over 420 000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year,” said Mark Pickering, general manager of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm.
Over 65% of the project’s total 60 wind turbines have already been erected and the transportation programme, which transports components from the Port of Ngqura, is soon to draw to an end.
The project is one of the SA’s largest wind farms and the workforce had no experience in this sector before their first induction a few months ago.
"It is also remarkable given the sheer scale of the project with multiple activities taking place onsite," said Pickering.
"Over 70% of the workforces come from the local communities and are directly benefiting from gaining skills."
The Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm spans 3 700ha and is one of the first wind farms being developed by the South African Governments Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPP).
The site was chosen for its optimal wind conditions and minimal environmental constraints, as well as its close proximity to a 132kV Eskom grid line.
"With demand for electricity continuing to grow in South Africa, the introduction of this clean energy will have far reaching benefits for the country’s power sector, economy and people," said Pickering.
“This marks the first step towards supplying enough clean, renewable electricity to power more than 114 000 South African homes and avoid over 420 000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year,” said Mark Pickering, general manager of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm.
Over 65% of the project’s total 60 wind turbines have already been erected and the transportation programme, which transports components from the Port of Ngqura, is soon to draw to an end.
The project is one of the SA’s largest wind farms and the workforce had no experience in this sector before their first induction a few months ago.
"It is also remarkable given the sheer scale of the project with multiple activities taking place onsite," said Pickering.
"Over 70% of the workforces come from the local communities and are directly benefiting from gaining skills."
The Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm spans 3 700ha and is one of the first wind farms being developed by the South African Governments Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPP).
The site was chosen for its optimal wind conditions and minimal environmental constraints, as well as its close proximity to a 132kV Eskom grid line.
"With demand for electricity continuing to grow in South Africa, the introduction of this clean energy will have far reaching benefits for the country’s power sector, economy and people," said Pickering.