South Africa: EDF Energies Nouvelles commissions a new wind farm

Awarded through the South African government Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), the Chaba wind farm is located in Eastern Cape province. It is made of seven V112 Vestas turbines, each with a 3.075 MW capacity.

In line with the tender specifications, a portion of the revenues generated from electricity sales will be used to encourage local entrepreneurship and support the local economy.

The Chaba wind farm is 40%-owned by local partners, with the remaining 60%-owned by InnoWind (an 80%-owned subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles).

The energy that will be generated by the wind farm is offtaken by the grid operator through a 20-year power purchase agreement and will provide over 14,000 South African homes with electricity.

To date, EDF Energies Nouvelles has commissioned two wind farms out of the four the company was awarded through the South African REIPPPP. Three wind farms with a total capacity of 105 MW were awarded in 2012 and the company was designated preferred bidder for another 33 MW wind farm in the first half of 2015.