EDF Renewables Koruson 1 Wind Farm Project Progressing Well
EDF Renewables' construction of the Koruson 1 cluster of three wind farms (Phezukomoya, San Kraal and Coleskop) outside Middelburg and Noupoort, is well underway, with half of the of 237 turbine blades and other components required, having been delivered from Coega port via the R75 and N10 to the three sites. Each blade on the turbines is 81.35m long, with a weight of 28 tons.
"We would like to thank the public for their patience and safe driving with regard to the abnormal loads that are carrying the components from the harbour to site. There are several other projects under construction in the area, and we realise that traffic is being affected," said project CEO, Cedric Faye.
The scale of the Koruson 1 project is massive with the three sites spread across 50 square km. There are 78 wind turbines which will be installed on concrete towers, now being assembled and erected across the three sites. The 124m high concrete towers each comprise 50 keystones, all manufactured locally at a concrete tower factory outside Middelburg.
Developed by EDF Renewables in partnership with H1 Holdings, GIBB-Crede and a local community trust, each wind farm has a capacity of 140 MW, with a total installed capacity of 420 MW. This makes the biggest wind farm ever built in Africa, The total investment in the project is 11bn ZAR.
In addition to the three windfarms, a main transmission station and three substations are under construction to transmit the power to Eskom. The construction works are all progressing rapidly towards commissioning, and the Commercial Operations Date (COD) is planned for first quarter of 2025.
The project which is is part of Round 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme, and will contribute to reducing the energy deficit in South Africa.
Approximately 3800 workers are currently on site. The project is creating significant employment, and local resources and businesses are being utilized wherever possible. More than 40% of the project's value is comprises South African goods and services, and 1,25% of revenue generated by the projects over their contractual period will be applied to socio-economic development initiatives for nearby local communities.
About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables is an international energy company which develops, builds and operates renewable power generation plants. As a major player in the energy transition worldwide, EDF Renewables deploys, within EDF, competitive, responsible and value-creating projects. In every country, our teams show their commitment to local stakeholders every day, adding their expertise and capacity for innovation to the fight against climate change.
As at the end of 2023, EDF Renewables was operating a net installed wind and solar capacity of 12.8 GW (21.2 GW gross) worldwide. Mainly present in Europe and North America, EDF Renewables is pursuing its development by taking a position in promising emerging markets such as: Brazil, China, India, South Africa and in the Middle East. Historically active in onshore wind and photovoltaics, the Company is now strongly positioned on offshore wind and floating wind as well as in new technologies such as energy storage, floating solar and agrivoltaism.
For more information: www.edf-renouvelables.fr
Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/edf-renouvelables and on Twitter @EDF_RE in French and @EDF_Renewables in English.
Since 2011, EDF Renewables has established itself as a leading Independent Power Producer in South Africa, having successfully developed a portfolio of renewable energy projects. The subsidiary currently operates 142 MW of wind farms in South Africa, and currently has 1,2 GW in new projects under construction in 2024.
For more information visit: www.edf-re.co.za
Caption: Turbine tower foundation pouring on Koruson 1
Caption: Main Transmission Station (MTS) under construction
Caption: Wind turbine erection site on Koruson 1
Caption: Turbine blades transport to Koruson 1
Caption: Turbine blades in transit to Koruson 1
Caption: Concrete tower component laydown area on Koruson 1
