A US $1.4M wind farm project has been launched in South Africa. Seriti Green made the launch as part of advancement in South Africa’s renewable energy sector.
The project will be set up in Mpumalanga and is part of a larger plan to construct 900MW of wind energy projects over three years. The initial phase, the 155MW Ummbila Emoyeni facility, is under construction and expected to be completed by mid-2026.
The wind farm is being funded by Seriti shareholders Standard Bank and Rand Merchant Bank (RMB). The development marks a strategic shift for Seriti Resources, traditionally one of South Africa’s largest coal miners. The acquisition of Windlab and the establishment of Seriti Green in 2023 have positioned the company at the forefront of renewable energy.
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Shift to renewable energy
The project marks a shift for Seriti Resources, one of South Africa’s largest coal miners, into renewable energy. It is expected to supply 75% of the power needs for Seriti’s coal mines, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.
Seriti’s Ummbila Emoyeni is among several new wind projects in South Africa. In March, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), in conjunction with Absa and Nedbank, arranged funding for three large-scale wind farms in the Eastern Cape. Sponsored by the Enel Green Power RSA and Perpetua Holdings consortium, these projects will provide 330MW to Sasol and Air Liquide’s operations in Secunda, Mpumalanga, under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement. However, the Eastern Cape’s inadequate transmission infrastructure has posed challenges, necessitating the construction of a 120-kilometre transmission line. This 330MW renewable energy project is set to be one of the largest wind-powered facilities in Southern Africa, starting operations in 2026.
According to the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), wind energy accounted for 4.9% of electricity produced in the first quarter of 2024. The rapid growth of the wind industry demands a diverse range of skills and roles, including engineers, project managers, environmental experts, and data analysts. SAWEA emphasized the need for expertise in monitoring and control systems, AI-based maintenance, and data analysis across the full value chain.
