Name and Location
Hopefield wind farm, Western Cape, South Africa.

Client
Umoya Energy.

Project Description
The project aims to support the Department of Energy’s renewable-energy targets to produce 10 000 GWh of renewable energy in South Africa.

The Hopefield wind farm is located about 105 km north of Cape Town and is among the most advanced large-scale commercial wind farm developments in South Africa. The site has been chosen as the preferred location for the proposed wind facility, as the area is known for its adequate and near-constant wind.

The proposed wind energy facility is expected to have a capacity of 66.7 MW and will consist of thirty-seven 1.8 MW wind turbines. Associated infrastructure will include 132 kV distribution lines, a new substation, an access road to the site and internal access roads to each wind turbine.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
Construction on the project began in late 2012, having been identified as a preferred project during the Department of Energy’s first Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme bid window.

The project achieved commercial operation in February 2014.

Latest Developments
Umoya has reported that the Hopefield wind farm has achieved its commercial operation date.

The wind farm will generate enough electricity to power about 70 000 low-income homes, or 29 000 medium-income homes.

The turbines have been supplied by Vestas Southern Africa and the project was built with the support of Conco and Power Westland.

Vestas has also been awarded a 15-year operation and maintenance contract and has recruited local full-time operators, who are undergoing training.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Savannah Environmental (environmental-impact assessment), African Infrastructure Investment Managers (development manager), Vestas Wind System (turbines and 15-year operation and maintenance contract), Conco and Power Westland (construction) and Mott MacDonald (owner’s engineer).

On Budget and on Time?
The wind farm was completed on time and within budget.

Contact Details for Project Information
Umoya Energy, Douglas Jenman, tel +27 21 670 1242, cell +27 82 415 2515 or fax +27 21 670 1220 or email douglas.jenman@macguarie.com.
Savannah Environmental, tel +27 11 234 6621, fax +27 86 684 0547 or email info@savannahsa.com.
Vestas communications partner Christina Butler, tel +49 40 46778 5153 or email chbut@vestas.com.
Mott MacDonald, Christina de Burgh-Milne, tel +44 20 8774 3639 or email christin.deburgh-milne@mottmac.com.