Enel Green Power RSA¹ A company 50% controlled by Enel Green Power S.p.A. has achieved commercial operation on the 330 MW Impofu Wind Farm cluster, located in the Kouga and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipalities of the Eastern Cape province, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of large-scale renewable energy solutions to South Africa’s commercial and industrial (C&I) market. 

Impofu North, whose construction commenced in 2024, was the first of the three 110 MW projects to reach commercial operation, with the two additional facilities, Impofu East and Impofu West, becoming operational in May and June respectively. 

The project included the construction of a 116 km, 132kV high-voltage overhead electricity line, now the largest privately built powerline in South Africa, enabling efficient transmission of renewable energy under a “wheeling” framework agreement, which facilitates the transporting of energy from a private generator to a customer across a third-party network. 

The Impofu Wind Farm cluster is underpinned by three long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Sasol South Africa and Air Liquide - South Africa. Under these agreements, each operational facility in the 330 MW cluster supplies renewable energy to Sasol’s Secunda site in the Mpumalanga province, where Air Liquide operates an oxygen production facility, the largest of its kind globally. 

Sarushen Pillay, EVP, Business Building, Strategy and Technology for Sasol Limited, said: 

“The 330MW Impofu Wind Cluster represents a step-change in Sasol’s progress towards achieving our target to secure up to 2 GW of renewable energy by 2030. It brings our total online renewable energy intake to over 500 MW, with a further 700 MW in construction. Renewable energy is a necessary first step in our value chain to enable the production of lower-carbon, more sustainable products at scale. 

As a pioneer in large-scale private renewable energy procurement, having partnered with Air Liquide and Enel Green Power to bring this project to life is a significant milestone for us. Impofu demonstrates how strategic partnerships can unlock new generation capacity, strengthening South Africa’s energy security while achieving real carbon footprint reduction.” 

Nicolas Poirot, CEO, Africa Middle East & India (AMEI) for Air Liquide, said: 

"The commercial operation of the Impofu cluster is a transformative milestone, further confirming that large-scale industrial decarbonisation in South Africa is an operational reality. By integrating this wind power with our existing infrastructure alongside Sasol, we are substantially increasing our renewable energy capacity. This is a major step toward our commitment to reduce CO2 emissions at our Secunda operations by 30% to 40% by 2031. Beyond our operational targets, this project demonstrates how industrial leaders can collaborate to contribute to a more sustainable energy ecosystem for South Africa." 

Beyond energy generation, the Impofu project continues to focus on people by creating shared value for its host communities, investing in economic and socio-economic initiatives that support local development, build skills, and expand meaningful employment opportunities. The project’s locally based Stakeholder Relationship Manager (SRM), working in close partnership with the municipality and supported by the local community structures, facilitates an inclusive and participatory process ensuring that decisions are guided by municipal priorities and community input to achieve coherent, meaningful, and lasting impact. 

The Impofu Wind Farm cluster positions Enel Green Power RSA among the first Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the country to successfully conclude large-scale wind PPAs within the C&I market, reinforcing its role as a key enabler of private-sector-led energy transition. 

SAWEA