The R25b wind energy generating project at the Ummbila Emoyeni Farm outside Bethal is expected to create more than 800 jobs.
The project, implemented by Seriti Green, forms part of the country’s renewable energy programmes and is anticipated to be fully operational in the next 36 months.
The CEO of Seriti Green, Peter Venn, led the Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, around the facility for an oversite visit on September 5. Venn said the project will have 125 turbines erected in three years. “This 155MW wind energy facility is the first phase of the larger, 900MW renewable energy cluster of Ummbila Emoyeni. It will supply Seriti’s coal mining operations with 75% of its power requirements via a wheeling with Eskom. The remainder of the 900MW project is expected to be fully commissioned by 2027, by which time it will provide electricity for the equivalent of 500 000 South African households,” Venn said.
“We already have created jobs for 300 people, most of who are locals. For the long term, we are looking to have more jobs exceeding 5 000 to 10 000 in the next five years.”
Ndlovu said: “It is a first in the province and one of the largest hybrid energy facilities in the country, and it will redefine the province’s journey towards renewable energy transition. We are excited about this R25b investment, which will not only produce the much-needed energy, but will benefit our people in terms of job creation.”
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He said the province is taking a distinct transition in its efforts to address the power challenges facing the whole country.
“The Ummbila Emoyeni facility and the newly launched Carbon Capture and Storage Research Site in Leandra are aimed at creating a cleaner power supply. Mpumalanga has a lot of coal mines, which are believed to be a contributing factor towards air pollution. I am happy that we will now be able to store the carbon dioxide and the lifespan of coal will be extended. We too want zero-net emissions by 2050,” Ndlovu said.
Mpumalanga News
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