Pele Green Energy South African Independent Power Producer has been granted preferred bidder status on three renewable energy projects, namely Nojoli Wind Farm in the Eastern Cape, Paleisheuwel Solar PV Project in the Western Cape and Tom Burke Solar PV Project in Limpopo. The projects formed part of the third bidding window for the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.
PGE along with TerniEnergia (lead partner) will be responsible for the Engineering, Procurement & Construction and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) of both the Paleisheuwel (82,5 MWp capacity) and Tom Burke (68 MWp capacity) Solar PV projects.
Thapelo Motlogeloa, Executive Director at PGE believes that “this represents another step forward in terms of the realization of our long-term strategic goals and serves as a significant milestone that will result in PGE participating at all levels in the construction and thereafter the Operations & Maintenance of 150 MW of Solar PV plants.”
The Nojoli Wind Farm (88 MW) which was developed by African Clean Energy Developments will be owned by; an Italian company active worldwide and a leader in the renewable energy sector, Pele Green Energy and the local Community Trust. Gqi Raoleka, Executive Director at PGE says “The announcement of Nojoli Wind Farm as preferred bidder comes months before the completion of our Solar CPV power plant in Touwsrivier and represents an important achievement in our model to provide a diversified energy mix into the national electricity grid” he continues, “Round 3 has been critical in the development of our strategy to partner and work alongside one of the best renewable energy developers in the country and the largest Energy Utilities in the world.
As a young IPP it is critical for us to ensure that the skills we are developing are through partnerships with the leading energy players globally. PGE is delighted at the significant growth that the company will experience and we look forward to growing the team with the requisite skills during the contracting period ahead of the July 2014 financial close. We will work closely with all our project partners to conclude all contracts and start the construction of the successful power plants.”
Paolo Ricci, authorized representative of TerniEnergia commented as follows:
“The international recognition that the company, TerniEnergia, obtained from being awarded as EPC contractor to the largest renewable energy company in Italy, through a highly competitive tender which saw the participationof the most important EPC players in the photovoltaic sector, is proof of the technical & economical ability that allowed TerniEnergia to establish its activities globally and in the Republic of South Africa, one of the most promising countriesfor the development of the green economy. The close cooperation with Pele Green Energy will help to make our work moreefficiently integrated with the new working environment."