Pan-African renewable energy Independent Power Producer (IPP), BioTherm Energy, has announced the completion of its 123MW Golden Valley Wind Energy Facility in the Eastern Cape Province. The project marks the fourth BioTherm project to reach commercial operations in a space of ten months, an incredible engineering feat given the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The wind farm is located approximately 5km from Cookhouse, on 9 000 hectares of farm land. It is connected to the grid through an on-site substation and a dedicated 132 kV power line connecting to the Kopleegte substation.
The Golden Valley Wind Energy Facility will supply the energy needs of approximately 120 000 households
Construction commenced two years ago and provided jobs to circa 500 workers, the majority of which came from its surrounding beneficiary communities within the Blue Crane Route Local Municipal area.
“We are delighted that the Golden Valley project has achieved COD. Thebe’s investment, alongside BioTherm Energy, demonstrates a commitment to growing our portfolio of renewable energy assets and to contribute positively to our country, and deliver on our mandate of “building communities” to make a significant economic impact in South Africa,” commented Sunil Ramkillawan, CEO of Thebe Energy and Resources.
BioTherm invested R6.5bn in a portfolio of renewable energy projects in South Africa with a combined capacity of 284MW. Asset management and investment company, Thebe Investment Corporation (TIC), has a 37.5% stake in all four projects.
The Golden Valley Wind Energy Facility is expected to generate over 477GWh of renewable power each year, equivalent to the energy needs of approximately 120 000 households. It joins 33MW Excelsior Wind Energy Facility, in the Western Cape; and two solar PV projects in the Northern Cape, namely 46MW Aggeneys Solar and its sister plant 86MW Konkoonsies II Solar, all of which form part of the SA government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme’s fourth bid round.
BioTherm’s African expansion drive
BioTherm Energy’s portfolio extends across South Africa’s borders into Kenya, where its fifth renewable energy asset is nearing operations, increasing this pan-African renewable power producer’s portfolio close to 400MW.
“Bringing four IPPs into operation in South Africa, over the last nine months under challenging circumstances, has been a proud achievement for us. Our Kenyan wind energy project, southwest of Nairobi, is already connected to the country’s national grid and energized, so we expect to have our current portfolio fully operational before the close of this quarter,” said Robert Skjodt, CEO of BioTherm Energy, which is majority owned by Actis, a leading emerging markets investor.
BiTherm’s CEO emphasised on the company’s commitment to social investment. “Golden Valley has committed a percentage of revenue earned to the community in the form of socio-economic and enterprise development investments. We are also in the process of establishing a Community Trust, which will belong to the community themselves. Through these initiatives, we are deeply committed to investing in areas of real need, and which result in long term sustainable impact in our communities,” said Robert Skjodt.
