WESTERN CAPE, November 13, 2014 – In a remote part of Western Cape Province, wind power turbines tower over the fynbos at 115 meters high, standing ready to generate electricity. This is the Sere Wind Farm, the first commercial-scale wind energy project financed by the World Bank Group (WBG) under its Eskom Renewables Support Project.
This month, the transformers on the first string of seven wind turbine generators were energized, paving the way to proceed with the wind farm’s commission in December 2014. Full commercial operation is expected to be completed by the end of March 2015.
“We are very excited about Sere going live,” said Eskom CEO, Tshediso Matona. “Renewable energy is an important source for a country with growing energy demands.”
The development of the100MW Sere Wind Farm is part of South Africa’s efforts to diversify its energy mix to reduce reliance on coal, and transition to a low-carbon economy over the long term. Sere is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to six million tonnes over 20 years. With an average annual energy production of about 298,000 MWh, Sere will supply sufficient energy to the grid to power approximately 124,000 standard homes.