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

Client
The Noupoort Wind Farm is owned by a consortium comprising Lekela Power – a joint venture between Actis and Mainstream Renewable Power.

Other members of the consortium include Thebe Investment Corporation; The IDEAS Managed Find; Futuregrowth Asset Management; Genesis Eco-Energy, in partnership with Lereko metier Sustainable Capital; and the Noupoort Energy Trust.

Project Description
The 80 MW Noupoort Wind Farm, to be located in the Umsobomvu local municipality, is expected to generate
305 000 MWh/y of clean, renewable energy to the national grid.

When operating at full capacity, the wind farm is expected to supply enough green energy to power an estimated 70 000 average South African homes and eliminate 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.

Value
Not stated

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

Latest Developments
The turbines will be supplied by Siemens Wind Power and will be the first manufactured at the new Gestamp wind turbine tower factory, in Atlantis, in the Western Cape.

The project will be equipped with the Siemens SWT-2.3-108 wind turbine with a rotor diameter of 108 m, and towers with a hub height of 99.5 m. Turbine installation will start in August 2015. Commissioning is scheduled from early 2016.

The blades, hubs and nacelles that comprise the wind turbines will arrive using the N10 from the Port of Ngqura, in Coega, while the towers will be routed along the N1 from Atlantis. The delivery of the turbines is expected to start in October this year.

Civil and electrical works are to be completed by a consortium comprising Murray & Roberts Construction and Consolidated Power Projects.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Siemens Wind Power (wind turbines), Murray & Roberts Construction and Consolidated Power Projects (civil and electrical work).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

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.