Jeffreys Bay Economy Set to Benefit thanks to Wind Farm
Construction is starting on two of the first wind farms in South Africa both situated in the Kouga area writes David Barkes from Independent Property Consultants (IPC Jeffreys Bay) and with approximately 200 jobs expected to be created the whole community will benefit in one way or another. ‘The housing rental market is already showing increased activity’ said David Barkes.
In a report in Kouga News it was reported that the sod-turning of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm took place on February 4. A ground breaking ceremony of the second wind farm at Oyster Bay is due to take place in March.
Located between Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp, the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm is expected to supply energy to the national grid by mid 2014.
David Barkes says that the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm is owned by a consortium focused on providing clean and renewable energy to all communities. The 138MW wind farm is part of the governments Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP)The company signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with Eskom and an Implementation Agreement with the Department of Energy in November 2012.
The wind farm will consist of 60 Siemens SWT 2, 3 MW wind turbines on a site spanning almost 3700 hectares.
The location was chosen due to the wind conditions, relatively flat topography, minimal environmental constraints and proximity to the Eskom grid.
The consortium of owners consists of Globeleq, Mainstream Renewable Power, Old Mutual, Thebe Investment Corporation, engineering firms Enzani Technologies and Usizo Engineering, plus a local community trust.
At the ceremony, Mainstream Renewable Powers CEO, Eddie O`Connor said:
‘This is a great milestone for South Africa`s burgeoning renewable energy industry. We commend the Government for providing the right framework to establish this new industry.’
He said South Africa was endowed with “an extraordinary wind and solar resource’ “Mainstream is developing over 4000 MW of wind and solar projects in South Africa to harness this free source of power.
Siemens Wind Power will provide expertise and technology for the supply, installation, and erection of turbines.
The civil and electrical works, including construction of a new substation, will be completed by a joint venture between Murray& Roberts Construction and Consolidated Power Projects.
Construction will be jointly managed by Mainstream and Globoteq, with Siemens maintaining the turbines for a period of 20 years.
The number of jobs will vary from month to month depending on the stage of the construction work on site. More indirect jobs will be created or sustained at local manufacturers and suppliers.
The contractors` responsible for building the wind farms are committed to employing as many people from the local community as possible and procuring goods and services locally where feasible’ he said.
‘During the 20-year operation of the wind farm, approximately 11 long-term jobs will be created to operate and maintain the facility’