Name and Location
Kouga wind farm project, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Client
Red Cap Kouga Wind Farm, comprising three major investors – Standard Bank (35%), Inspired Evolution (23%) and the Kouga Wind Farm Community Development Trust (26%). Red Cap Investments, Africoast Engineers and Eurocape Renewables make up the remaining 12%.
Project Description
The Red Cap Kouga wind farm was named as one of the preferred bidders in the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme in December 2011.
The project proposes an 80 MW wind farm development in the Humansdorp area of the Eastern Cape. The first phase will be situated close to Oyster Bay and will consist of 32 turbines, each capable of generating up to 2.5 MW of power.
Value
R2-billion.
Duration
The Red Cap Kouga wind farm will reach commercial operation in the final quarter of 2014.
Latest Developments
Earthworks and civil works for the wind turbine foundation bases are being completed at the Kouga project. As at December 2013, 27 of the 32 turbine foundations had been completed.
Civil works are expected to be completed by April 2014.
The main electrical work will be conducted from July 2013 to November 2014.
Eskom is responsible for the electrical grid connection to the wind farm and the parastatal is on track with its design and procurement to ensure that Redcap meets the June 2014 grid connection date.
Construction works on the overhead power line and Eskom switching station should start this month.
The wind turbine generator component manufacturing is in progress.
Shipping, delivery and erection of the wind turbine generators will take place from December 2013 to September 2014.
Commissioning will take place from June to November 2014, with substantial completion of the wind farm expected in November.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Nordex Energy (EPC).
On Budget and on Time?
The wind farm is on track for operation in the final quarter of 2014.
Contact Details for Project Information
Splash PR & Media Consultants, on behalf of Red Cap Kouga Wind Farm, Doug Carew, tel +27 21 447 1208 or email doug@splashpr.co.za.
Red Cap Kouga Wind Farm site construction manager Pieter Taljaard, cell +27 71 684 6477 or email info@redcap-kougawindfarm.co.za.