Jeffreys Bay wind farm in South Africa starts to take shape

This marks a milestone in the construction of one the largest wind farms in South Africa’s renewable energy integrated power producer programme (REIPPP) to date.

The first shipments of components will be transported from the Port of Ngqura to the site, situated between Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp. Once on site the components will be offloaded beside the wind turbine foundation. Two cranes will be used to erect the turbines and it is estimated that two wind turbines will be erected each week. Final commissioning of the turbines will take place following connection of the electrical works.

“Our team is committed to making every effort to minimise traffic disruptions during this period,” Mark Pickering, general manager of Jeffreys Bay wind farm, says. Trucks with oversized trailers will vary in size, of up to 50 m in length, and began transporting wind turbine components from the Port of Ngqura to Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm during the early morning of Tuesday 22 July. From then until the 31 January 2014, regular deliveries will be made, Mondays to Fridays, throughout the day. Due to regulations, deliveries will not be made over weekends or on public holidays, or at night. “There may be exceptional circumstances, where prior notification will be given to transport over a weekend,” Pickering explains.