Red Rocket is pleased to announce the major inroads that have been achieved since construction commenced on its Bid Window 5 projects under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers’ Procurement Programme. Much interest has surrounded our Wolf, Brandvalley, and Rietkloof Wind Farm projects since reaching financial close, with the current picture painting a story of inspiring progress and dedication.
The sites are a feast for the senses with awe-inspiring work seen, heard, and felt as the activities reach milestone after milestone. Located on the boundaries of the Sundays River Valley and Dr Beyers Naudé local municipalities in the Eastern Cape, Wolf Wind Farm operations have advanced steadily since starting construction in February 2023.
When completed, the project will boast 17 wind turbines with a nameplate capacity of 85MW, consisting of 12x V163-4.5MW and 5x V162-6.2MW Vestas wind turbines. The project is leading the charge in terms of innovation and pioneering technology in South Africa with the new Vestas V163 turbine, and is planned to generate almost 360GWh per annum, meeting the energy needs of 110 000 households. It is also expected to offset 384 000 tons of CO2 emissions yearly, compared to traditional coal plants.
Wolf Wind Farm Project Manager, Norman Tshikwatamba, said: “This will make a huge difference in the country by mitigating the impact of load shedding and adding much-needed energy to the grid.”
The project is currently on schedule to be commissioned in Q4 2024, said Tshikwatamba, adding the diversity of the teams and experience on-site have added to the fulfilment of the project.
Having also started construction in late February 2023 after commercial close and financial close, Brandvalley Wind Farm, together with its sister project Rietkloof Wind Farm, is likewise targeted to be commissioned in Q4 2024. Bringing a dose of sibling power rather than rivalry, the completed projects will each feature 32 Vestas V150-4.5MW wind turbines with a capacity of 144MW on each site.
The projects are located between the towns of Matjiesfontein and Sutherland, neighbouring our operational 147MW Roggeveld Wind Farm.
Project Manager on the sites, Luchen Reddy, said: “What we have achieved so far has probably gone against what was expected in terms of the challenges that are usually faced on projects of this nature and we are pleased with the progress to date.”
At the time of writing, 15 of the turbines on each site had been assembled, with the main internal access roads to all the turbine locations having also been completed. Furthermore, all the turbine foundations have been cast at both sites, and the electrical installation, along with the associated infrastructure, are well underway.
“The situation we face as a country with regards to reliable electricity supply is further motivation for us to bring Brandvalley and Rietkloof online and positively contribute towards solutions to the problems facing South Africa,” said Reddy.
