EDF EN’s first wind farm in South Africa established at PPC quarry

EDF Energies Nouvelles is commissioning its first wind farm in South Africa, located at PPC Cement’s Grassridge Quarry in Port Elizabeth.

The project forms part of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme of South Africa, which aims to achieve a renewable energy capacity of 3725 MW by 2016. In 2012, France-based EDF EN won a tender for three schemes. The Grassridge wind farm is the first of these, and is being carried out by the company’s local subsidiary InnoWind.

The wind farm features 20 Vestas V-112 3 MW wind turbines, providing a total installed capacity of 61.5 MW. The electricity generated will be the equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 40 000 households.

“We would like to congratulate EDF EN on the commissioning of the wind farm,” said Egmont Ottermann, Group Energy Manager at PPC Ltd. The wind farm forms part of PPC’s long-term rehabilitation plans for the mine. PPC is committed to becoming a more sustainable company. This project is the first step in procuring power from renewable sources.”

“The commissioning of EDF Energies Nouvelles’ first wind farm in South Africa, a country that has been pursuing a major drive to promote renewable energies since 2011, represents an important milestone in the company’s international expansion. Our South African affiliate’s cooperation with local partners demonstrates our desire to build solid roots and champion local development,” added Antoine Cahuzac, Chief Executive Officer of EDF Energies Nouvelles.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/africa-middle-east/11022015/edf-en-wind-farm-commissioned-at-ppc-quarry-south-africa-310/