Page 11 - Energize October 2022

INDUSTRY NEWS

Energy minister signs three PPAs for

REIPPPP Bid Window 5 projects

DF Renewables achieved Legal Close on its Koruson 1 before financial close and the launch of the construction phase
projects on 22 September 2022, at the Independent Power of the three wind farms. Our teams in Gqeberha and Cape
EProducer (IPP) offices in Pretoria, with the signing of Power Town have been working very hard, so today’s closing is the
Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for the Coleskop, San Kraal and achievement of a long journey. Going forward, completing these
Phezukomoya Wind Energy Facilities (WEF) to be built in South projects as soon as possible, under safe conditions, will be the
Africa. main challenge for our teams, partners and contractors. This
The three projects, with installed capacities of 140 MW 420 MW project also confirms our long-term perspectives in the
each, totalling 420 MW, are located on the boundaries of the country, adding to the almost 1 GW that EDF Renewables already
Eastern and Northern Cape provinces. The low-carbon renewable develops, builds, or operates in South Africa, supporting the
electricity produced each year by the three wind farms will help government’s and our ambitions to develop low-carbon energy
to meet the electricity needs of approximately 193 000 South solutions for the future.”
African households.
The ceremony involved the signing of Project Documents, About EDF Renewables
including the PPA between the Projects and Eskom (specifically EDF Renewables is an international leader in renewable energy,
the Central Purchasing Agency), and the Implementation with a gross installed capacity of 15,6 GW worldwide. Its
Agreement (IA) between the Projects and the Department of development is largely driven by wind (onshore and offshore)
Mineral Resources & Energy (DMRE), which details the Economic and solar photovoltaic power, and more recently battery storage.
Development Obligations that the Projects commit to, over the EDF Renewables operates mostly in Europe and North America
construction and operations period. but is continuing to grow by moving into promising emerging
regions such as Brazil, China, India, South Africa, Australia and
YouTube video: Minister of Mineral Resources the Middle East. EDF Renewables develops, builds, operates
and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe signs power and maintains renewable energy projects, both for itself and
purchase agreements for third parties. Since 2011, EDF Renewables has established
itself as a leading Independent Power Producer in South Africa,
Each project will comprise 26 wind turbines, with a height of having successfully developed a portfolio of renewable energy
124 m and a blade length of 83 m. EDF Renewables will also be projects. The subsidiary currently operates 142 MW of wind
constructing the Koruson Main Transmission Substation (MTS) farms in South Africa and has been awarded over 800 MW in
on behalf of Eskom, under a self-build agreement (SBA), which is new projects in 2021.
transferred to Eskom upon completion.
The three projects were awarded Preferred Bidder Status in For more information visit: www.edf-re.co.za
October 2021 under Round 5 (Bid Window 5) of the Renewable
Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) by a
consortium led by EDF Renewables in South Africa, together with
its local Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE)
partners, H1 Holdings and GIBB-Crede.
The Projects have committed to providing 2230 job years,
which includes 400 full-time jobs to South African citizens during
the construction period of two years and 35 full-time jobs to
South African citizens during the operating period of twenty
years. Furthermore, the projects have committed to contributing
approximately 40% of the total project value, during the
construction and operations period, to local content.
The three projects are to be commissioned from mid-2024
to beginning of 2025. Over the 20 year operational period, 1,2%
of revenue will be dedicated to help local communities through EDF Renewables CEO Tristan de Drouas, addresses guests at the
socio-economic initiatives. signing ceremony. In the background on the left is Richard Vries,
Tristan de Drouas, CEO of EDF Renewables in South Africa, Group CEO of the GIBB Group of Companies, B-BBEE partner to EDF
Renewables, and on the right is Gwede Mantashe, the minister of
said: “The signing of the PPAs with Eskom is a key milestone mineral resources & energy.

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