South Africa's MetroWind

CGTN Africa

19 Sept 201301:41

Summary

TLDRThe wind farm project, part of South Africa's renewable energy initiative, will generate 80 million kilowatt hours annually, contributing to Eskom's regional power grid by early next year. The R550 million project, now eight months into construction, has created 120 jobs in local communities, emphasizing community involvement throughout its lifecycle. The project, developed with a Chinese partner, includes a 1.5% annual revenue stream for socio-economic and enterprise development. It is set to serve three local communities in the Eastern Cape, with excess power directed to Port Elizabeth's grid upon commissioning in January.

Takeaways

🌬️ The wind farm is part of the government's renewable energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program and Integrated Resource Plan.
⚡ It will support Eskom's efforts to restore power to the regional grid when it starts operating early next year.
💡 The wind farm will generate 80 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.
💰 The project is valued at 550 million Rand and is eight months into construction.
👷 Local labor is being prioritized, with Newport contracting and recruiting workers from nearby communities.
📈 84 new jobs have been created so far from local communities, and around 120 total jobs are expected.
🌍 Environmental impact assessments were thoroughly completed before construction began.
🤝 Collaborating with the Chinese company Somerville presented cultural and relationship-building challenges but has been a positive learning experience.
🏘️ The project is designed to keep the local community involved throughout its life cycle, including a 1.5% annuity stream for socio-economic and enterprise development.
🔋 The wind farm will serve three local communities and supply excess power to the grid, benefiting Port Elizabeth.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the wind farm project mentioned in the transcript?
-The wind farm is part of the government's renewable energy independent power producer procurement program and integrated resource plan, aimed at helping Eskom put power back into their regional grid.
When is the wind farm expected to begin generating power?
-The wind farm is expected to come on stream early next year.
How much energy will the wind farm generate annually?
-The wind farm will generate 80 million kilowatt hours per year.
What is the cost of the wind farm project?
-The project is valued at 550 million Rand.
How long has the wind farm been under construction?
-The wind farm has been under construction for eight months.
How has the company involved local communities in the project?
-The company has contracted Newport to recruit workers from local communities, leading to the creation of 84 jobs from nearby communities and a projected total of around 120 local community jobs.
What kind of involvement is expected from the community throughout the project?
-Community involvement is expected throughout the entire project life cycle, with socio-economic and enterprise development projects being supported by an annuity stream of 1.5 percent of the farm's annual revenue.
What challenges did the company face during the construction phase?
-The company faced cultural and relational challenges while working with the Chinese company Somerville, as it was a new experience for them.
How was the environmental impact of the project addressed?
-Environmental impact assessments were thoroughly conducted before construction commenced to ensure that the project minimized environmental damage.
What areas will the wind farm serve once operational?
-The wind farm will service three communities in the area and provide excess power to the grid, contributing to the Port Elizabeth area.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Wind Farm's Role in Renewable Energy Program

The wind farm is part of the government's renewable energy initiatives, specifically within the independent power producer procurement program and the integrated resource plan. It aims to support Eskom's efforts to feed power into the regional grid when the project begins operation early next year. The farm is expected to generate 80 million kilowatt-hours annually.

🏗️ Construction Progress and Local Employment

The project, with a budget of 550 million Rand, is currently eight months into construction. The company prioritized hiring local labor, contracting with Newports to recruit from nearby communities. Already, 84 new jobs have been created locally, with the potential for up to 120 positions. Community involvement throughout the project has been key.

🌱 Environmental and Cultural Challenges

Thorough environmental impact assessments were conducted before construction. The company also faced challenges in navigating cultural differences while working with a Chinese partner, Somerville, but has built strong relationships. These collaborations have been an important learning experience for all involved.

🤝 Community-Centric Project Structure

The project has been designed to ensure continued community involvement, including a 1.5% annuity stream from the farm's annual revenue to fund socio-economic and enterprise development initiatives. The wind farm will benefit three local communities and supply excess power to the grid, contributing to the Eastern Cape's renewable energy efforts.

⚡ Power Generation Timeline and Impact

The wind farm is expected to be operational by January and will provide power to local communities, with additional energy fed back into the Port Elizabeth grid. This marks a significant milestone in the region's transition to renewable energy. Angelo Coppola reports from Port Elizabeth for CCTV.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Wind farm

A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to generate electricity. In the video, the wind farm is part of a government initiative and will generate 80 million kilowatt hours annually. It represents the transition to renewable energy and is central to the theme of sustainable power generation.

💡Renewable energy

Renewable energy is power derived from natural resources that are replenished constantly, such as wind, solar, and hydropower. The wind farm discussed in the video is a renewable energy project, highlighting the government's efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to cleaner energy production.

💡Independent Power Producer Procurement Program

This program refers to a government initiative aimed at encouraging private sector investment in renewable energy projects. In the video, the wind farm is part of this program, which is designed to increase energy production and reduce dependence on the state utility by allowing private companies to generate power.

💡Integrated Resource Plan

The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is a government policy framework for long-term energy planning. It outlines how different energy sources will be developed to meet future energy demands. The wind farm is a part of this broader strategy to incorporate renewable energy sources into the national grid.

💡Eskom

Eskom is South Africa's national electricity public utility. The video mentions that the wind farm will help Eskom put power back into their regional grid, signaling its role in alleviating power shortages and ensuring energy supply stability.

💡Local labor

The term 'local labor' refers to the hiring of workers from the nearby communities for the construction and operation of the wind farm. The video emphasizes that 84 new jobs have already been created for local community members, showcasing the project’s socioeconomic impact.

💡Environmental impact assessment

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a process that evaluates the potential environmental effects of a project before construction begins. In the video, the EIA was completed before the wind farm construction, ensuring that the project would not have a significant negative impact on the environment.

💡Cultural challenges

Cultural challenges refer to difficulties encountered when working with people from different cultural backgrounds. The video mentions that collaborating with a Chinese company, Somerville, required learning to navigate cultural differences, which was initially a challenge for the local team.

💡Socio-economic development

Socio-economic development refers to efforts aimed at improving the economic and social well-being of communities. The video notes that 1.5 percent of the wind farm's annual revenue will be directed toward socio-economic and enterprise development projects in the local communities, highlighting the broader social benefits of the project.

💡Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is a city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, and in the video, it is mentioned that the wind farm will provide excess power to the grid, which will flow back into Port Elizabeth. This demonstrates the wind farm’s role in strengthening the regional power supply.

Highlights

The wind farm is part of the government's renewable energy independent power producer procurement program.

It will contribute to Eskom's efforts to feed power back into their regional grid when operational.

The wind farm will come on stream early next year, generating 80 million kilowatt hours annually.

The project is valued at 550 million Rand and is currently eight months into construction.

Local labor was prioritized in the project, with 84 new jobs created from nearby communities.

A total of 120 local community jobs have already been created.

Community involvement has been central to the project throughout its life cycle.

Environmental impact assessments were thoroughly conducted before construction began.

Minor challenges were encountered during construction, especially in working with a Chinese company.

The project team had to adapt to cultural differences, leading to stronger relationships.

An annuity stream of 1.5 percent of annual revenue will go towards socio-economic and enterprise development projects.

Renewable energy is coming to the Eastern Cape, benefiting local communities.

The wind farm is expected to be commissioned in January, servicing three nearby communities.

The excess power generated will be fed back into the regional grid, including Port Elizabeth.

The wind farm represents a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in the region.