Mainstream Renewable Power wins 250 MW of wind energy projects in South Africa

A consortium led by Mainstream Renewable Power was awarded preferred bidder status for two large-scale onshore wind energy projects with a total capacity of 250 MW in South Africa.

The South African Department of Energy awarded the company under the fourth round of the Government's Renewable Energy Procurement Program.

Mainstream has stated that the two wind farms represent a total investment of approximately US$469 million.

Specifically, the deal consists of the following:

• 140 MW Kangnas Wind Farm located in the Nama Khoi Municipality in the Northern Cape
• 110 MW Perdekraal East Wind Farm located in the Cape Winelands District and Witzenberg Local Municipalities of the Western Cape

Mainstream's Barry Lynch, Managing Director of Onshore Procurement, Construction and Operations commented:

"Mainstream is delighted that the South African Government has, once again, placed its trust in us to deliver more large-scale renewable power plants into commercial operation."

As we reported in February, the company has already demonstrated its capability in South Africa by delivering three world-class wind and solar farms last year with a further three wind farms (total 360 MW) currently under construction in the Northern Cape.

Mainstream has been awarded a total of 848 MW of wind and solar projects under the South African program since its first award in 2011, which is more than any other developer.

Barry Lynch closed with the following:

"Renewable energy ticks three important boxes for South Africa's energy needs. Firstly, the cost of these projects is now cheaper than new coal-fired generation. Secondly, they can be brought into commercial operation at the speed required and thirdly, they meet the scale needed to address the country's growing electricity demand. Mainstream is once again delighted to be able to play a leading role in South Africa's burgeoning renewable energy sector."