A private wind power producer has notched up a first for South Africa, by concluding a deal to supply sustainable energy to a private offtaker.

Moneyweb reports that the 69MW Msenge Emoyeni Wind Farm in Bedford, Eastern Cape, will wheel the energy across the national grid to Sasol’s Sasolburg plant in the Free State, making it the first independent power producer selling wind-produced energy to a private offtaker to come into operation.

Sasol will use the sustainable energy in the manufacture of green hydrogen.

Msenge Emoyeni – developed by a consortium headed by African Clean Energy Developments (ACED) – comprises 16 turbines with a generation capacity of 4.5 MW each and has a 20-year power purchase agreement with Sasol.

Sasol indicates that it has already secured 750 MW of clean energy as part of it target of 2 200 MW by 2030.

ACED is building three more wind farms, all in the Northern Cape – two near Murraysburg in the Karoo and one between De Aar and Philipstown. One will supply power to Richards Bay Minerals and two will supply Sibanye-Stillwater mines.

29 October 2024
Image: Freepik