Vestas, the world leader in wind energy, has been selected as the preferred supplier to five wind energy projects selected by the South African Department of Energy as part of the country’s second round of renewable energy tenders. The five projects have a combined nameplate capacity of 297 MW.
Vestas is the preferred supplier to the following projects:
- West Coast 1, 94 MW, Developer: GDF Suez/IPR
- SA Tsitsikamma, 95.33 MW, Developer: Cennergi (Pty) Ltd.
- Grahamstown, 24.60 MW, Developer: EDF EN France
- Grassridge, 61.50 MW, Developer: EDF EN France
- Chaba, 21.53 MW, Developer: EDF EN France
Combined with the first round of tenders announced in December of 2011, Vestas has won preferred supplier status for seven projects totaling 435.10 MW – approximately 36 per cent of the approved wind projects in South Africa.
“Vestas is very pleased to be recognised by our potential customers and the industry as a preferred supplier,” says James White, Sales Manager for Vestas Southern Africa. “We see yesterday’s news as further proof of our focus on building the wind energy industry in South Africa and ensuring that we contribute to the social and economic development of South Africa and its people.”
“The tender process puts a strong emphasis on local content. These projects will not only deliver clean energy, but also benefits to the communities where these projects will be built. This includes skills development through Vestas’ integrated education, training and career opportunity structure that will help to develop and train a workforce that meets the skills requirements of the promising renewable energy industry in South Africa.”
Vestas and the project developers have six months to reach financial close, by which point Vestas must negotiate and finalise turbine supply, service and maintenance and construction contracts. Vestas has been active in South Africa for 10 years, and opened an office serving Southern and Eastern Africa in 2010. Vestas is committed to South Africa for the long term and committed to the sustainable development of the South African wind energy sector through sharing its 30 years of experience and knowledge.
