- R5 billion project is Mpumalanga’s first inland utility scale wind farm and will generate about 525 GWh of clean electricity annually.
- One third of generation will support Seriti Resources’ mining operations, with the balance supplied to corporate customers through electricity wheeling arrangements.
- Seriti Green has also committed a further R10 billion towards two additional phases, taking its planned investment in the renewable energy programme to R25 billion.
Seriti Green has officially brought its 155 MW Ummbila Emoyeni wind energy facility into commercial operation in Mpumalanga, marking a significant milestone in the province’s transition towards renewable energy.
Located between Bethal and Morgenzon, the R5 billion project is Mpumalanga’s first inland utility scale wind farm and is among the largest grid ready wind farms south of Kenya. The facility comprises 25 Goldwind GWH182 6.2 MW turbines and is expected to generate about 525 GWh of clean electricity annually.
The turbines feature rotor diameters of 183.5 metres and are among the largest wind turbines currently operating in South Africa. One turbine has been wrapped in traditional Ndebele artwork and is known as The Ambassador, reflecting the project’s connection to the cultural heritage of Mpumalanga.
The project is supported by the Vunumoya transmission infrastructure, developed by Seriti at an investment of about R1.2 billion. The Main Transmission Substation was completed in a record 17 months and provides the infrastructure required to evacuate electricity from the wind farm into the Eskom national grid.
Approximately one third of Ummbila Emoyeni’s electricity will be used to support the coal mining operations of Seriti Resources, helping to reduce the carbon intensity of its existing industrial operations. The remaining two thirds will be supplied to corporate customers through electricity wheeling arrangements involving Eskom and private electricity traders, including Energy Exchange of Southern Africa, Etana and NOA.
The project forms part of Seriti Green’s broader 900 MW renewable energy programme in Mpumalanga, which is expected to combine wind, solar and battery storage.
Seriti recently announced a further committment of R10 billion towards two additional phases of development, taking the total investment associated with the programme to R25 billion. The company has also indicated that its longer term investment could reach R40 billion.
Mike Teke, Chairman of Seriti Green, said the project demonstrated how coal and renewable energy could operate alongside each other while supporting the economic development of local communities.
“Coal and renewables together and the benefits and beneficiaries in the towns of Bethal, Davel and Morgenzon transforming their communities and powering 500 000 homes,” said Teke.
More than 2,100 employees contributed to the project, while 18,500 job seekers registered on Seriti’s skills portal, with more than 50% of those registered being female.
The development was also highlighted as an example of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, with government, Eskom, private sector investors and local communities working together on infrastructure and economic development.
The President said the project demonstrated that the country’s energy transition was being implemented through practical investment and infrastructure delivery.
“The JET should create opportunities that remain long after construction has been completed. It should strengthen local businesses. It should equip young people with new skills. The JET must leave communities stronger than before,” he said.
The next stage of development is expected to include a further 600 MW of wind capacity through the proposed Phefumula Emoyeni project. Together with Ummbila Emoyeni, the development would create a major renewable energy precinct in Mpumalanga comprising 187 wind turbines.
Seriti Green CEO Peter Venn said the completion of Ummbila Emoyeni demonstrated the ability of South African companies to deliver large scale energy infrastructure while attracting international investment.
The project accumulated more than three million hours of work without recording a lost time injury, according to Venn.
“When we gather again, we will not simply be celebrating another wind farm. We will be demonstrating that wind farms, solar farms and batteries can form part of a sustainable future for South Africa, and the energy transition is just, transforming communities and industries, presenting opportunities while decarbonising to impact climate change,” said Venn.
The development comes as South Africa seeks to increase private sector investment in new electricity generation and transmission infrastructure while reducing emissions from its historically coal dominated electricity system.
Ummbila Emoyeni represents a significant shift in Mpumalanga, traditionally one of South Africa’s major coal mining and power generation regions, towards a more diversified energy economy combining existing industrial activity with new renewable energy investment.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
GBA – RELIABLE NEWS ON THE ENERGY SECTOR IN AFRICA
www.greenbuildingafrica.co.za
