Red Rocket’s Roggeveld Wind Farm achieves commercial operations

The 147 MW Roggeveld Wind Farm located in the Karoo region of South Africa, 20km north of Matjiesfontein has achieved commercial operations. The project was part of the 27 projects awarded preferred bidder status by South Africa’s Department of Energy under the fourth round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme in April 2015.

The wind power project was initially scheduled to reach commercial operation in September 2018 but was delayed due to Eskom’s unwillingness to sign power purchase agreements with independent power producers at the time.

The Roggeveld Wind Farm was initially developed by G7 Renewable Energies (Pty) Ltd, and was subsequently taken over by Red Rocket South Africa (Pty) Ltd (formerly Building Energy). 

The wind energy facility was constructed at an estimated cost of R4.4 billion. The project was locally financed and the financiers and investors included Old Mutual, H1 Capital, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Rand Merchant Bank, the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and a Community Trust, known as the Roggeveld Wind Power Trust.

Consisting of 47 Nordex wind turbines, the facility is expected to produce around 610 GWh of electricity annually, which is equivalent to the power consumption needs of 49 200 households.

Nordex Energy South Africa was awarded the contract to supply wind turbines as well as the wind towers which are locally made in South Africa. Nordex also has a 15-year service agreement with Red Rocket South Africa (Pty) Ltd on the Roggeveld Wind Farm.