Paris, November 9, 2021 – EDF Renewables in South Africa announces that it has won three wind projects under the South African Renewable Energy Independent Producer Procurement Program (REIPPP). While coal and diesel now represent more than 80 % of the country's energy mix, these new projects contribute to the South African Government's objectives of increasing the share of renewable energy by 2030. These projects, representing a total capacity of 420 MW, are also part of the EDF group's CAP 2030 strategy, which aims to double its net renewable energy capacity from 28 to 60 GW between 2015 and 2030.
On October 28, 2021, the consortium composed of EDF Renewables in South Africa and its local partners H1 holdings and Gibb-Crede, was pre-selected for three wind farms as part of the fifth tender phase of the REIPPP . The Coleskop, San Kraal and Phezukomoya projects, each with an installed capacity of 140 MW, are located in the Umsobomvu local municipality, between the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces. For these three wind farms, the carbon-free electricity produced each year will help meet the electricity needs of 420,000 inhabitants of the region.
In accordance with the REIPPP program, the financial close of these three projects is planned for spring 2022, and commissioning is expected in the following 2 years.
Earlier this year, EDF Renewables in South Africa won two other major projects:
• In September 2021, the company and its partner Pele Green Energy were selected for the largest power purchase contract in a tender led by mining company Anglo-American Platinum. Through this renewable electricity purchase contract, the consortium plans to build and operate a 100 MW solar power plant at the Mogalakwena platinum mine, in the province of Limpopo. The low-carbon electricity produced to power the mine will replace the high-carbon electricity currently used.
• In March 2021, the consortium formed with its partner Perpetua Holding, won the Umoyilanga project as part of the government's Emergency Program (RMI4P). This innovative project combines solar, wind and battery storage technologies. Umoyilanga consists of a 77 MW wind farm located on the coast in the south of the country and a 138 MW solar power plant in the Northern Cape region, benefiting from the best sunshine in the country. Both plants will be equipped with a battery storage system with a total capacity of 75 MW, to provide reliable service to the national grid. The renewable electricity produced each year will help meet the electricity needs of 142,000 South Africans.
Today, EDF Renewables in South Africa operates four wind farms, representing 144 MW of installed capacity. The Wesley wind farm (33 MW) was notably commissioned in August 2021, in the former Ciskei region, east of Cape Town. With these new projects won in 2021, EDF Renewables now holds a total portfolio of nearly 880 MW of capacity in operation and development.
The company is part of the South African government's ambitions (National Integrated Re-source Plan) to reach 20 GW of installed wind and solar capacity by 2030 compared to 6.2 GW of capacity today.
Tristan de Drouas, Director of EDF Renewables in South Africa, declared: “We are pleased to have been able to significantly increase our project portfolio over the last 12 months. This success is notably the fruit of the intense efforts led by the local EDF Renewables team, established in the country for thirteen years. These projects demonstrate our ability to create innovative solutions adapted to specific local expectations, whether in this case those of the government or an industrial player. They can be launched within a short time frame, and meet South Africa's objectives for developing low-carbon energy. They will also help to strengthen the reliability of the electricity network. ".
About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables is an international leader in renewable electricity production with installed wind and solar capacity of 13.8 GW gross worldwide. Mainly present in Europe and North America, EDF Renewables continues its development by taking a position in promising emerging markets such as: Brazil, China, India, South Africa and the Middle East. Historically active in onshore wind power and photovoltaics, the Company is now strongly positioned in offshore wind power and new technologies such as energy storage. EDF Renewables ensures the development and construction of renewable energy projects as well as their operation and maintenance. EDF Renewables is a subsidiary of the EDF group.
For more information: www.edf-renouvelables.com
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PRESS CONTACTS
Manon of Cassini-Hérail ▪ tel. : +33 (0)1 40 90 48 22 ▪ email: manon.decassini-herail@edf-re.fr
Margot Reboul ▪ tel. : +33 (0)6 14 87 69 85 ▪ email: margot.reboul@edf-re.fr
[#Press release] @EDF_RE accelerates its development in #South Africa 🇿🇦!
✅ 3 new projects 1TP5Wind turbines won, for a total power of 420 MW.
▶️ A portfolio of projects multiplied by 5 since the start of 2021.
💻Read the CP: https://t.co/Kv77ZtORYN pic.twitter.com/xC1zDMysnx— EDF Renewables (@EDF_RE) November 9, 2021