Siemens Gamesa to provide 109 turbines for 250MW wind farms in South Africa

Wind industry news : Siemens Gamesa has won a turbine supply order for two new wind farms in South Africa – the 140MW Kangnas wind farm and the 110MW Perdekraal East wind farm, which are being developed by a consortium led by Irish firm Mainstream Renewable Power.

250MW Wind Farms in South Africa to Be Built By Mainstream Renewable Power and Partners

In this connection, Siemens Gamesa will deliver a total of 109 wind turbines of its SWT-2.3-108 range, each having a capacity of 2.3MW, a rotor diameter of 108m and a 115m hub height.

The Spanish wind turbine manufacturer will start delivering the SWT-2.3-108 wind turbines for the new wind farms in South Africa from early 2019.

Siemens Gamesa is also responsible for providing full service for the South African wind farms as per a 10-year full service agreement.

Siemens Gamesa to supply 109 turbines for two wind farms in South Africa. Photo courtesy: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, S.A.

Having reached financial close last month, the Kangnas wind farm and the Perdekraal East wind farm are anticipated to enter into commercial operations in 2020. The two wind farms, which had commenced construction in June, will see a combined investment of around ZAR 6.6 billion ($490 million).

Janek Winand – Managing Director Siemens Gamesa South Africa, commenting on the turbine supply contract for the two wind farms in South Africa, said: “This is the next big milestone for Siemens Gamesa in South Africa and with adding these two wind farms, Siemens Gamesa will have installed more than 850MW of wind capacity in the country.

“We are proud to offer services with a localized team based in Johannesburg with long lasting experience and determined to generate value for South Africa by creating jobs, supporting local manufacturing and driving development projects within local communities.”

Once commissioned, the Kangnas and the Perdekraal East wind farms will produce clean energy for close to 214,000 South African homes.

Mainstream Renewable Power’s partners in the two South African wind farms are African Rainbow Energy and Power (AREP), H1 Holdings, Local Community, Lekela and Old Mutual Life Assurance Company.

The contracts to develop the Kangnas wind farm and the Perdekraal East wind farm were awarded to the consortium by the Department of Energy in South Africa during the fourth round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

The Kangnas wind farm is being constructed 52km east of Springbok in the Nama Khoi Local Municipality in the Northern Cape, while the Perdekraal East wind farm is being built 80km from Ceres in the Western Cape, in the northeast direction.

A consortium comprising Concor and Conco was awarded the construction contract for the two Mainstream Renewable Power wind farms in South Africa.