Cookhouse Wind Energy Facility project to be carried out in Eastern Cape, by Suzlon Group, the world’s fifth largest* wind turbine supplier.
Pune / Durban:
The Republic of South Africa’s Minister for Energy, Dipuo Peters, today, announced her Department’s approval of the Cookhouse Wind Energy Facility project to be carried out in Eastern Cape, by Suzlon Group, the world’s fifth largest* wind turbine supplier.
This project will utilize Suzlon’s 2.1 MW turbines. The Cookhouse Wind Energy Facility is one of South Africa’s leading renewable energy projects, having received a positive Record of Decision from the Department of Environment
for the erection of up to 200 wind turbines; enough to power over 88,000 homes.
Suzlon announced its partnership with African Clean Energy Developments (ACED), African Infrastructure Investment Managers (a company held by Old Mutual Investment Group (South Africa) and Macquarie Capital) and AFPOC Limited, earlier this year.
Working closely with its partner, the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, and with its appointed Mandated Lead Arrangers, Standard Bank and Nedbank Limited, ACED finalised a financing package which notably includes a significant portion of Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment ownership.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Thomas Donnelly, Managing Director – ACED, said: “This is an important milestone for the project, ACED and for South Africa. The Cookhouse project marks a major first step in our plans to build a 1 GW renewable energy portfolio over the next three years, with our 200 turbine agreement with Suzlon at the core of our plans.
“In addition to providing clean power – this project, and wind energy, have incredible potential for local job creation sustainable economic development.”
Mr. Tulsi R. Tanti, founder, Chairman and Managing Director – Suzlon Group, said: “This is excellent news for South Africa and a concrete first step of the South African Renewables Initiative (SARI). We are extremely proud to be in the first wave of the Cookhouse project.
“South Africa needs more energy and it also needs thousands of decent and sustainable ‘green’ jobs. The wind energy sector is well positioned to deliver both of these requirements and more. We bring to the table our reliable technology and operating experience from 32 countries around the world, and are confident that South Africa will see significant growth in this space in the decades to come. I particularly want to recognize Minister Peters for her
creative, bold and dynamic leadership in introducing the policy framework which has enabled today’s decision.”
Mr. Silas Zimu, CEO – Suzlon South Africa, said: “When I joined Suzlon, my vision for its role in South Africa was to create jobs, and generate green electricity. As a Group we are committed to local empowerment, and to enable environmental, ecological and sustainable growth – and I believe that this project stays true to that vision. Cookhouse is a fantastic first project to turn that vision into a welcome reality.
“We look forward to working with ACED in a committed partnership towards the growth of the South African wind energy market.”
As the Cookhouse Wind Energy Facility successfully secured a Power Purchase Agreement under the South African REBID procurement process, commencement of this project is due to begin 2012.
About Suzlon Group:
The Suzlon Group is ranked as the world’s fifth largest* wind turbine supplier, in terms of cumulative installed capacity, at the end of 2010. The company’s global spread extends across Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa and North and South America with over 18,000 MW of wind energy capacity installed in 28 countries, operations in 32 countries, a workforce of over 13,000. The Group offers one of the most comprehensive product portfolios – ranging from sub-megawatt on-shore turbines at 600 Kilowatts (KW), to the world’s largest commercial 6.15 MW offshore turbine – built on a vertically integrated, low-cost, manufacturing base. The Group – headquartered at Suzlon One Earth in Pune, India – comprises Suzlon Energy Limited and its subsidiaries, including REpower Systems SE. Visit us at www.suzlon.com
Source: *BTM Consult ApS – A part of Navigant Consulting – World Market Update 2010.