EDF Renewables now building 1,2 GW of Power Generation capacity in South Africa

The total investment across these projects is 34bn ZAR (Approximately 1.65bn EUR). The construction works are now progressing rapidly towards commissioning, and the respective Commercial Operations Dates are planned between the end of 2024 and 2026. 

These power plants will contribute significantly to reducing the energy deficit, by providing close to 4TWh of low carbon electricity to the national grid per annum. In South Africa, the total energy shortage reached 14.4TWh in 2023, as indicated by Eskom.  

While less than 1 GW of utility scale generation projects have been commissioned in the country since 2020, this new capacity shows that the deployment of renewable power is now accelerating rapidly. 

The EDF Renewables projects are creating a significant number of jobs and small business opportunities are being encouraged through entrepreneurial programmes and use of local resources wherever possible. Approximately 40% of the projects’ value will comprise South African goods and services, and approximately 1% of revenue generated by the projects over their contractual period, will be applied to socio-economic development initiatives for nearby local communities.  

Tristan de Drouas, CEO of EDF Renewables in South Africa, commented: “Our projects under construction will contribute  towards meeting the energy needs of South Africans, both through government programmes and through private channels for Anglo American mines via our joint trader Envusa Energy. These constructions will have a visible impact on the current power shortage, which is a very good news for the country, and a source of pride for the teams. They are a tangible illustration of the capabilities of the EDF Group to deliver low-carbon energy solutions in South Africa.”  

Additional background information: 

The Koruson 1 renewable energy project outside Middelburg on the border of the Eastern and Northern Cape provinces, comprises three wind farms, namely Phezukomoya, San Kraal and Coleskop, each with installed capacities of 140 MW, totalling 420MW. It is being developed by a consortium led by EDF Renewables, together with local BEE partners, H1 Holdings, GIBB-Crede and a local community trust, and is part of Round 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme. It is expected to reach COD in December 2024. 

The Umoyilanga project which EDF Renewables, and privately held investment company Perpetua Holdings (Pty) Ltd, are executing for the South African Government’s Risk Mitigation IPP Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP), is expected to reach COD in July 2025. This innovative project combines solar, wind and battery storage technologies to offer dispatchable and reliable power to the National Grid. The project will operate as a virtual power plant, combining generation from two sites which are 900 km apart, namely Avondale in the Northern Cape, with 115 MW of solar PV and 30 MW of battery storage, and Dassiesridge in the Eastern Cape, with 63 MW of wind and 45 MW of battery storage.  

The Koruson 2 cluster of projects, located on the border of the Northern and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, comprises the Umsobomvu wind project (140 MW), the Hartebeesthoek wind project (140 MW), and the Mooi Plaats solar project (240 MW). All projects are to reach commercial operation during 2026. 

About EDF Renewables 

EDF Renewables is an international energy company that 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    

Image below: Turbine tower foundation pouring on Koruson 1 

Image below: The Main Transmission Station (MTS) for Koruson 1 and Koruson 2 under construction 

Image below: Wind turbine erection site on Koruson 1