Noupoort Wind Farm commenced with the transportation of the various turbine components on October 19. The first wind turbine tower sections departed, Cape Town and wind turbine blades leaving from the Port of Ngqura, in Port Elizabeth, both en route to Noupoort in the Northern Cape.
The locally manufactured turbine tower sections, means that Noupoort Wind Farm has been able to achieve local content commitments exceeding 40% of the project’s total value.
“We are delighted to be receiving the first of these locally manufactured wind turbine towers at Noupoort Wind Farm. Local content has a vital role to play in the long-term growth and sustainability of South Africa’s hugely successful renewable energy program,” explained Martina Flanagan, Project Manager for Noupoort Wind Farm.
The wind turbines for the project are supplied by Siemens Pty Ltd and the transportation campaign is carried out by DHL and ALE. The turbine towers are the first towers to be manufactured by GRI – Renewable Industries. The R300 million facility currently employs 240 people and will increase this figure to 270 during 2016.
Janek Winand, the head of Wind Power and Renewables at Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa says: “Adding local value by supporting development is indeed a key priority for Siemens. In the pursuit of this we have managed to be part of the local manufacturing of key components for the wind farm industry through building a new tower factory in Atlantis. Creating sustainable work opportunities and development within the community.”
The wind farm is expected to generate approximately 305,000 MWh each year of clean, renewable energy to the national grid.