Noupoort Wind Farm, situated in the Umsobomvu Local Municipality, in the Northern Cape, has announced the completion of its first 14 foundations. Employing over 200 local workers, the wind farm finished its first foundation on 19 May, with all 35 foundations due for completion in just a few months from now.

“Already many people are being employed 202 local people are working on the project including assembling the foundations for the wind turbines, almost a dozen of which have been cast to date. Employment of local labour will continue throughout the construction period,” said Project Manager of Noupoort Wind Farm, Martina Flanagan.

Noupoort Wind Farm is being built on an undeveloped site surrounding a small rural community, it will help boost the local economy and have a positive impact on the community. The project is ideally located with a great wind resource and it is situated 11 km from the Eskom 132kV overhead line which the wind farm will loop into.

The 80MW wind farm is expected to generate approximately 305 000 megawatt hours each year of clean, renewable energy to the national grid each year. When operating at full capacity, it is expected to supply enough green electricity to power approximately 70 000 average South African homes and avoid roughly 300 000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year when compared to traditional fossil fuel power plants.

The 99m turbine towers are to be manufactured at the new Gestamp Wind Turbine Tower Factory, in Atlantis, Western Cape. The blades, hubs and nacelles that compose the wind turbines, will arrive via the N9 from the Port of Ngqura in Coega, while the towers will be routed along the N1 from Atlantis. Delivery of the turbines is due to commence in October of this year.

“We are extremely pleased with the progress of the wind farm’s construction to date,” concludes Flanagan.