The project, consisting of 37 V100-1.8 MW wind turbines, will be installed in the province of Hopefield at the Western Cape of the country. The turbine delivery is planned for the second quarter of 2013 and the wind farm is expected to be commissioned by February 2014.
Umoya Energy is a project company with participation of the African Infrastructure Investment Fund Trust, the Kagiso Infrastructure Empowerment Fund Trust, the Infrastructural, Developmental and Environmental Assets Managed Fund, Tomlo Commodities (Pty) Ltd and the Hopefield Wind Farm Local Community Company.
“Umoya Energy is proud to be a successful REIPPP (Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme) Round 1 bidder and congratulates the RSA Department of Energy for running a world-class procurement process," said Richard Gordon, CEO of Umoya Energy.
"We are pleased to have formed a partnership with Vestas Southern Africa for the provision of EPC and O&M services on the Hopefield Wind Farm. The interactions to date have reinforced our decision and we look forward to an ongoing mutually beneficial relationship with Vestas,” Gordon added.
The contract includes the supply, installation and commissioning of 37 V100-1.8 MW wind turbines, along with a VestasOnline® Business SCADA solution, full scope civil and electrical works as well as a 15-year full-scope service agreement (AOM 5000).
“The project contains strong local economic development obligations," said Phylip Leferink, Vice President of Sales Benelux and South Africa, Vestas Central Europe. "Beside the supply of clean energy, it provides significant employment and skills development to the local community. In this regard, Vestas is taking its responsibilities very seriously. We are excited to contribute not only to long- term renewable energy generation in South Africa, but also to the sustainable development of the communities Vestas is working in.”
Dr. Wolfgang J. Schmitz, President of Vestas Central Europe, said the project marks the "exciting start" of a new era for the company, an era that will be marked by development of "large wind power plants and several hundred MWs in South Africa over the next few years."
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