juwi To Develop 140 MW Wind Energy Project In South Africa
Germany-based renewable energy service provider juwi will develop a 140 MW wind energy project in South Africa that is part of the country’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program.
The 140 MW Garob Wind Farm was awarded to Enel Green Power in the second tranche of the fourth round auction under projects under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) in early June this year.
The project will have 46 wind turbines and will be spread over a 5,500 hectare site in the Northern Cape province. The project is expected to achieve financial closure in Q1 2016, while construction is expected to commence in Q2 2016, and commercial operation of the project is expected to begin in Q2 2018.
According to news reports, juwi had the project on its radar for some years. The company had approached the local community in 2011 to discuss wind energy project development. A wind mast was subsequently erected at the site for resource assessment. juwi then approached Enel Green Power to lead the bidding process under the REIPPPP auctions.
Enel Green Power now owns a 60% stake in the project, a local investment company Khana owns a 30% stake, while the Garob community owns 10% stake in the project.
juwi is also working on a solar photovoltaic power plant just outside the Northern Cape province. The project will have an installed capacity of 86 MW and is expected to start commercial operations in late summer of 2016. The project was awarded during the third round of auction under the REIPPPP in October 2013.
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