Enel subsidiary Enel Green Power RSA (EGP RSA) has started commercial operations of its 111 MW Gibson Bay wind farm, located in the Kouga Municipality of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
The Gibson Bay project is capable of generating around 420 GWh per year – equivalent to the annual consumption needs of roughly 131,000 South African households, says EGP RSA.
William Price, country manager in South Africa, says Gibson Bay represents the company’s second operating wind project in South Africa.
“Taking the lead in renewable energy gives South Africa the opportunity to become a key global player in this growing industry, while investment in renewables provides good job opportunities and has brought new skills into the country,” Price says. “We are proud to offer a strong renewable energy generation base.”
The wind farm is supported by a 20-year power supply agreement with South African utility Eskom as part of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme tender, promoted by the South African government, which awarded the project to the Enel Group.
EGP RSA has also carried out “creating shared value” initiatives in the areas surrounding the Gibson Bay wind farm: The Soul Provider school feeding program has benefited around 2,850 schoolchildren, while free EGP Wi-Fi is supplied to local learning institutions and reaches approximately 1,000 beneficiaries. Enel has also carried out road improvements in the areas around the wind farm to facilitate travel to and from school or the workplace.
