Page 21 - Energize January 2022

NEWS

Local firm signs joint development agreement with

wind turbine technology leader

arth & Wire, the independent electricity for all South Africans. Like us, the leadership at Vestas has pledged to a carbon-
electricity retail brand currently neutral and fully sustainable future and value chain. With the world’s leading turbine
Edeveloping over 20 GW of manufacturer investing in our long-term strategy, we see it as a huge vote of confidence
renewable energy projects across in South Africa’s future.”
multiple provinces in South Africa, has Tommy Garner, Earth & Wire’s Business Development Executive adds: “Beyond
signed a letter of intent (LOI) to launch providing a secure source of renewable energy, we have a responsibility to transform
a co-development cooperation with South Africa from a fossil fuel energy economy to a clean energy economy. Through a
Vestas, the world’s leader in wind power large-scale, visible project pipeline, localisation of certain parts of the wind value chain
and sustainable energy solutions. become more viable and with a leading technology partner like Vestas, we can make
Headquartered in Denmark, Vestas a real and measurable impact, especially within the coal belt, in line with our stated
designs, manufactures, installs and commitment to developing proper skills that will result in thousands of new jobs.”
services wind turbines, with a current Jose Luis Jimeno, Vestas’ President for the Mediterranean & Africa region confirms:
installed base of over 145 GW of wind “Building further on Vestas’ success in the South African REIPPPP auctions with over
power capacity in 85 countries. 1000 MW installed and serviced, we are looking forward to the significant further growth
The agreement forms a key part in potential in the private offtake market, including the mining sector where there is a great
the overall development of the portfolio opportunity to re-skill people into new and clean energy. The partnership with Earth &
of Earth & Wire renewable energy Wire plays an essential role in this context.”
projects that includes secured land Iñigo Sabater, Vestas’ Vice President for EMEA & LATAM Global Development states:
parcels totalling over 400 000 ha in five “We are very pleased to join forces with Earth & Wire to develop together high-quality
of South Africa’s provinces. projects that will contribute to cover the energy and decarbonizations needs of South
The portfolio consists of wind, solar, Africa. Through this partnership we confirm Vestas’ interest to start investing in project
bio-methanol and green hydrogen, development, complementing our existing facilities in South Africa.”
battery storage and bio-mass project Within the greater context of the energy challenges currently facing South Africa, this
opportunities with a potential of up partnership signals a very positive move within the energy industry in South Africa.
to 17 GW of wind power capacity, at
various stages of development. Contact Thomas Garner, Earth & Wire, Phone 084 625-3597,
In terms of the agreement, thomas@earthandwire.com
Vestas will install and commission
meteorological measurement masts;
collect wind data for analysis and
calculations of annual energy yields;
offer state-of-the-art turbine technology
solutions, best suited to the climate
conditions of each site; provide wind
and site development services, establish
fully optimised wind farm layouts,
provide the wind farm EPC supply and
construction services comprising of wind
turbines, balance of plant, as well as
long-term operation and maintenance
services.
Demetri Pappadopoulos, Earth &
Wire’s founder says, “Our partnership
with Vestas is not only a world-class
endorsement of our long-term business
plan; it represents a vital alignment with
our brand values and ethics. At Earth &
Wire, we are committed to providing an Jose Luis Jimeno, Vestas’ President for the Mediterranean & Africa region (left) and Demetri
affordable and secure source of clean Pappadopoulos, Earth & Wire’s founder (right) sign the Letter of Intent.

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