Name and Location
Noupoort Wind Farm project, Northern Cape, South Africa.

Client
The Noupoort project is being developed by a consortium comprising Lekela Power, a 60:40 joint venture between Actis and Mainstream Renewable Power, Thebe Investment Corporation, Old Mutual’s IDEAS Managed Fund, Futuregrowth Asset Management, and Genesis Eco-Energy in partnership with Lereko Metier Sustainable Capital and local community trusts.

Project Description
The project will consist of 35 wind turbines, with an output of 80 MW and a turbine capacity of 2.3 MW each, as well as a substation and 10-km-long 132 kV transmission line.

The wind farm is expected to generate about 305 000 MWh/y of clean, renewable energy into the national grid.

When operating at full capacity, it is expected to supply enough green electricity to power about 70 000 average South African homes and prevent about 300 000 t/y of carbon emissions.

The project is one of the first to start construction as part of the third round of the Renewable Energy Independent Producer Power Procurement Programme and is being built on an undeveloped site surrounding a small rural community, situated 11 m from State-owned power utility Eskom’s 132 kV overhead transmission line, which the wind farm will feed into.

Value
R1.9-billion.

The debt for the project has been arranged and underwritten by Barclays and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

Duration
The wind farm is expected to start commercial operation by mid-2016.

Latest Developments
The first of a planned 35 wind turbines has been erected at Noupoort wind farm marking a pivotal point in the farm’s development and preceding the imminent energisation of the substation.

The turbines, which are 100 m tall to allow for optimum energy production. The three 53 m blades, which are made from fibreglass-reinforced epoxy, are connected to the rotor at ground level before being lifted to the top of the turbine. 

“This is a complicated lifting exercise, in which one crane raises the assembled rotor, while another smaller crane and taglines guide the rotor into the correct position.

“With two cranes working simultaneously, it is really impressive to watch the 108 m diameter rotor being lifted,” notes project manager Martina Flanagan.

The erection of the inaugural turbine follows the completion of all 35 wind turbine foundations ahead of schedule last month.

The project also recently received its primary transformer, which is responsible for increasing the voltage from 33 kV to 132 KV –  the voltage at which the energy will be transferred to Eskom’s national grid.

This wind farm is expected to start supplying electricity to the national grid by mid-2016 and will become the first wind farm to complete construction in the province as part of the third round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.

Reflecting on the project’s major milestones, Flanagan has said construction of the wind turbine generator foundations started in May, with all 35 completed before schedule on November 20. Transportation of the various components started on October 19, with more than 100 of the 315 abnormal loads having successfully been delivered to the wind farm. 

“It is expected that 160 loads will be delivered before the end of the year, when transportation will be halted for the school holiday period,” she says.

Siemens Wind Power, along with subcontractors Fairwind and BMS, were responsible for the turbine installation.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Siemens Wind Power (wind turbines), GRI - Renewable Industries (turbine towers) and Murray & Roberts Construction; Consolidated Power Projects (civil and electrical work); Fairwind and BMS (subcontractors).

On Budget and on Time?
The project is on schedule and within budget.

Contact Details for Project Information
Lekela Power, email info@lekela.com.
Siemens Wind Power, Cordula Ressing, tel +49 91 31 18 3700 or email cordula.ressing@siemens.com.
Murray & Roberts Construction, tel +27 11 456 1000, fax +27 11 590 5474 or email info.construction@murrob.com.
Consolidated Power Projects, tel +27 11 805 4281, fax +27 11 805 1132 or email conco@concogrp.com.
GRI - Renewable Industries, tel +34 91 379 19 00, fax +34 91 172 61 83 or email
info@gri.com.es.
Fairwind, email mail@fairwind.dk.
BMS, tel +45 70 137 138 or email mail@bms.dk.