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 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 the State-owned power utility Eskom’s 132 kV overhead transmission line, which the wind farm will feed into.

Value
Not stated

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

Latest Developments
The construction of the first 14 wind turbine foundations for the Noupoort Wind Farm was completed in July, with the remaining 21 foundations expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Following the construction of all 35 foundations, the wind turbine components will be delivered to site; this WAS expected at the end of AUGUST, with the project slated for completion by mid-2016.

Multinational company Siemens Wind Power will supply the turbines and the 99 m turbine towers will be the first to be manufactured at the new Gestamp wind turbine tower factory, in the Western Cape. The blades, hubs and nacelles that comprise the turbines will arrive from the Port of Ngqura, in Coega, outside Nelson Mandela Bay, in the Eastern Cape.

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.