Yet another major milestone has recently been realised at Red Rocket’s Brandvalley Wind Farm as the 144MW project nears completion. The wind farm has successfully completed the substation energising process, moving further in the countdown to the much-anticipated COD event.
Brandvalley Wind Farm has drawn significant interest in recent months in terms of the on-site works, and has captured the attention of the renewable energy community as one of the most steadily progressing projects in Bid Window 5 of the REIPPPP, along with the Rietkloof and Wolf wind farms.
In the recent inspiring developments, the Eskom Switching Station was energised, which enabled the energising of the Kabeltouw (IPP) Substation and subsequently the site’s two 85MVA transformers.
Luchen Reddy, Project Manager of Brandvalley Wind Farm, praised the achievement as an affirmation that all the processes were performed in line with the relevant expectations. The on-site team has shown unwavering dedication to the entire project, which has resulted in earlier-than-expected results as reported on by Red Rocket and in the media.
“This is a welcome confirmation that all the work covered under the Self Build Agreements is completed. It then paves the way for us to energise the wind turbines and initiate their HOT commissioning,” said Reddy, praising the effort that has gone into the construction of the site up to this point.
As part of the construction, the Operations & Maintenance building, which has also been completed, will house the teams that will be stationed on the wind farm throughout its operational lifespan.
“This is a big milestone for the project as it sets us on the path to COD. It is even more special because the complete realisation of the project is now becoming clearer,” said Reddy, adding that COD was projected for early next year.
