Eskom Commissions 100MW Sere Wind Farm in South Africa

Eskom Sere Wind Farm delivers 100MW of renewable wind power to South Africa's grid, financed by AfDB and Clean Technology Fund, cutting greenhouse gas emissions with 46 turbines and a 132kV connection.

South African power utility Eskom has commissioned the 100MW Sere wind power project in the Western Cape.

The African Development Bank AfDB and Clean Technology Fund CTF have financed $45m and $50m respectively for the project. AfDB energy, environment and climate change department director Alex Rugamba said: The project is one of the largest wind energy projects in South Africa today.

It illustrates AfDBs commitment in supporting Africas transition to green growth and to address the challenges of climate change, as more renewables in South Africa advocacy grows. The World Bank and the French Development Agency are also the co-financers for the project, AfDB said.

Featuring 46 wind turbines, the facility is connected to the grid through Skaapvlei substation in a region where Africa's power transition remains challenging. It serves the Juno substation through a 44km 132kV distribution line..

Eskom acting CEO Brian Molefe said: Sere is Eskoms first large-scale renewable energy project, and forms part of our commitment to renewable energy and reducing our carbon footprint, complementing international renewable energy funding efforts as well.

The Sere plant adds 100MW to the national power grid and contributes to saving nearly 6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions over its 20 years expected operating life, with average annual energy production of about 298,000MWh, enough to supply about 124,000 standard homes. Eskom is also developing a 100MW concentrating solar plant CSP project near Upington in the Northern Cape, drawing on solar park planning approaches used elsewhere.

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