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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
SEPTEMBER
2016
NOUPOORT WIND FARM
operational
ALTERNATIVE POWER SOLUTIONS
All 35 turbines of this ZAR1,9-bil-
lion, 80 MW wind farm, have been
commissioned and connected to
the Eskom Grid and the project
satisfied all of Eskom’s requirements on
11 July 2016. “We are thrilled to have
reached this milestone on target and to have
met all Eskom’s requirements including Grid
Code Compliance, thereby achieving COD just
17 months after construction commenced,”
said Savva Antoniadis, country programme
manager for Noupoort Wind Farm.
South Africa’s relatively new wind
energy sector is already supplying enough
electrical energy to power more than half
a million households from 15 large wind
farms generating over 3 GW of wind energy.
In addition to the enormous water savings,
significant in the country’s current state of
drought, REIPPPP ensures that renewable
energy projects benefit nearby communities.
So far in excess of ZAR90-billion has been
committed to developmental initiatives
under this programme. “We are currently
implementing various economic devel-
opment projects, which include Capacity
Building for existing and prospective
entrepreneurs; and local maths and science
development programmes that incorporate
science and computer labs as well as local
Wi-Fi infrastructure,” explains Antoniadis.
The team at Noupoort Wind Farm has
been working closely with the various Eskom
teams to achieve this milestone, but value
the positive community relationships equally
as much.
“Our project has received resounding
support from the local municipality and the
surrounding communities who supported
us throughout the construction phase, for
this we most grateful and look forward to a
long and mutually beneficially relationship,”
addsAntoniadis.
Situated in the Umsobomvu Municipal
Area located 10 km east of Noupoort in the
Northern Cape, Noupoort Wind Farm spans
Noupoort Wind Farm has achieved its commercial operations
date (COD) on schedule and on budget, making it the first wind
farm to successfully achieve operation as part of the third
round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer
Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
>
Savva Antoniadis, country programme manager
for Noupoort Wind Farm.
7 500 hectares and comprises
thirty five 99 m-high wind
turbines. The site was chosen
because of its excellent wind
resource, its proximity to
national roads for wind turbine
transportation, the favourable
construction conditions, munic-
ipality and local stakeholder
support, the straightforward
electrical connection into the
Eskom grid, and studies showed
that there would be little envi-
ronmental impact.
When operating at full
capacity, the 80 MW Noupoort
Wind Farm will generate around
304 800 MWh of clean renewable
energy per year; this is expected
to supply electricity to power up
to 69 000 South African homes.
Noupoort Wind Farm will effec-
tively eliminate approximately
300 000 tonnes of carbon emis-
sions each year when compared
to traditional fossil fuel power
plants. In addition to zero
carbon emissions and reduced
use of fossil fuels, the country
will benefit from minimal water
consump-tion during the gener-
ation process and significant
social and enterprise develop-
ment programmes.