South Africa - Wind energy development in Sub-Saharan Africa to receive major boost forward

Suzlon, REpower's umbrella group is demonstrating a clear commitment to the South African wind power market by supplying the Cookhouse Wind Farm -one of South Africa's leading renewable energy projects with 200 wind turbines.

Suzlon Energy Limited, the world’s fifth largest wind turbine supplier, has signed a contract with African Clean Energy Developments ("ACED"), a joint venture between African Infrastructure Investment Managers (a company held by Old Mutual Investment Group (South Africa) and Macquarie Capital) and AFPOC Limited, for the supply and full EPC for 76 of Suzlon’s S88 – 2 MW series wind turbines, with an option for ACED to acquire an additional 124 wind turbines for the Cookhouse Wind Energy Facility.

The Cookhouse Wind Energy Facility is one of South Africa's leading renewable energy projects, having received a positive Record of Decision from the Department of Environment on 25th May 2010 for the erection of up to 200 wind turbines.

Mr. Thomas Donnelly, Managing Director – ACED, said: “African Clean Energy Developments, along with its key stakeholders, are pleased to be working with Suzlon Energy Limited on our flagship South African project, the Cookhouse Wind Energy Facility.

“Suzlon has demonstrated a clear commitment to the South African wind power market, and to local economic development and job creation, two key objectives of the Cookhouse Wind Energy Facility.”

Mr. Tulsi R. Tanti, founder, Chairman and Managing Director – Suzlon Group, said: “South Africa is a rapidly growing economy and a very important market for us. The country has immense wind energy resources and the Government of the Republic of South Africa has demonstrated praiseworthy vision and leadership to exploit this abundant renewable resource to power the nation’s growth: green jobs, energy generation and inclusive, sustainable growth.

“We are very excited by this opportunity to bring to the table our vast emerging markets experience from India, China, Brazil and others. We are especially glad to partner with a prestigious organization like ACED on our first project in South Africa.”

Mr. Silas Zimu, CEO – Suzlon South Africa, said: “We at Suzlon are delighted to be supporting what is arguably the lead project in South Africa in terms of quality and development timelines. The Cookhouse facility will not only provide clean and green energy, but also create many jobs and make a major contribution to local economic development.

The wind power contract is conditional to the Cookhouse Wind Energy Facility successfully securing a PPA under the South African REFIT procurement process, due to commence in the coming months, and the project successfully reaching financial close and meeting other standard conditions. Based on current expectations for the satisfaction of the main conditions, installation is expected to commence in late 2011 or early 2012.

ACED is working closely with its partner, the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, and with its appointed Mandated Lead Arrangers, Standard Bank and Nedbank Limited, to finalise a financing package which will include a significant portion of Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment ownership.

The Suzlon Group is ranked as the world’s fifth largest wind turbine supplier, in terms of cumulative installed capacity, at the end of 2010. The company’s global spread extends across Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa and North and South America with over 17,000 MW of wind power capacity installed in 25 countries, operations across 32 countries, a workforce of over 13,000 and revenues of approximately US$ 4 billion.

The Group offers one of the most comprehensive product portfolios – ranging from sub-megawatt on-shore turbines at 600 Kilowatts (KW), to the world’s largest commercial 6.15 MW offshore wind turbine – built on a vertically integrated, low-cost, manufacturing base. The Group – headquartered at Suzlon One Earth on Pune, India – comprises Suzlon Energy Limited and its subsidiaries, including REpower Systems AG in which the company holds ~95 per cent share.

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