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The plant
The Garob Wind Farm
The Garob wind farm, which is located near the remote Northern Cape town of Copperton in the Siyathemba Local Municipality, is able to generate 573 GWh every year, potentially preventing the annual emission of approximately 600,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. The facility, which has an operational capacity of 140 MW generated by 46 turbines, is situated in an area that is fast becoming a renewable energy hub in South Africa due to its growing number of solar and wind farms.
Technology
Wind
Status
In operation
Operating capacity
140 MW
Energy production
537 GWh per year
CO₂ emissions avoided
600,000 metric tons per year
Energy needs met
74,583 households each year
Timeline
Milestones
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Our Corporate Partners
The wind farm project, which was awarded in April 2015 as part of the fourth tender round of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), is supported by a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with South African energy utility provider, Eskom. We are working to enlarge its asset portfolio with new investments both for future regulated tenders and private PPAs with South African industrial and commercial clients.
Community impact
Several Creating Shared Value (CSV) initiatives have been conducted in underserved communities that are in close proximity to the wind farm. These include:
- Donation of wooden pallets and cable drums to the communities for making furniture;
- Issuing PPE to health workers during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Providing 100 blankets to old age homes during cold winter season;
- Providing food parcels to 200 vulnerable families at the height of the COVID-19 lockdown;
- Providing tablets for 135 Grade 11 students;
- Granting of full scholarships to two students to further their education at any university within South Africa;
- Sponsorship of local sport events with 300 young people taking part.
We will also launch Enterprise Development (ED) initiatives such as the Herbal Lean Incubation Programme. This provides mentoring and support services to startups in the agro, bio and food technology field. Additional sustainability projects planned in the Northern Cape province include the installation of an artificial turf soccer field that captures and stores rainwater; a water purification facility to clean the rainwater and address water shortages by providing clean drinking water; and free Wi-Fi to local communities.
Construction phase
The construction of the Garob wind farm, which commenced in Apr 2019, included the on-site building of concrete towers instead of prefabricated steel towers. The work was completed by local contractors, providing employment for some 511 people from the local community at the peak of the construction phase of the project.
Contacts
South Africa
102 Rivonia Road Tower 2 EY Building, Johannesburg