Name and Location
MetroWind Van Stadens wind farm project, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Client
The project is being developed by Rubicept, a special purpose project company established to develop, operate and maintain the wind farm, which is supported by Old Mutual, Basil Read Energy, Afri-Coast Engineers, Spilled Water Renewable Energy and the Metrowind Community Trust.

Project Description
The project entails the construction and operation of a 27 MW wind farm, 30 km west of Port Elizabeth, on the farm Klein Rietfontein, at the south-western extremity of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality.

The wind farm will feature nine 3 MW turbines, each with a hub height of 90 m and three 56.5 m blades.

The project will offset 80 000 t/y of carbon dioxide and water, and generate 80 000 MWh/y of electricity – enough to power 5 000 to 6 000 homes.

In 2011, Metrowind Van Stadens and 27 other wind and solar projects were named as the preferred bidders during the first bid window under the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.

Value
R550-million.

Duration
Construction has begun and the project is scheduled for operation in February 2014.

Latest Developments
The MetroWind Van Stadens wind farm is on track to start generating power to the grid by February 2014.

Vanguard has completed the erection of nine Sinovel SL3000 3 MW wind turbines, which arrived on June 5 and 11 from turbine manufacturer Sinovel Wind Group Electrical installation is currently under way.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Basil Read Matomo (EPC), Sinovel Wind Group (turbines), Vanguard (wind turbine erection) and 3Energy (operation and management of wind farm).

On Budget and on Time?
The project is expected to be delivered within budget and on schedule.

Contact Details for Project Information
Metrowind Van Stadens wind farm, tel +27 41 505 8000, fax +27 41 585 3437 or email info@metrowind.co.za.
Sinovel Wind Group, tel +8610 62515566, fax +8610 82500072 or email ibd@sinovelwind.com.
Basil Read Matomo, tel +27 11 218 3800, fax +27 11 684 1382 or email enquiry@brmatomo.co.za.
3Energy, tel +27 21 300 9922.