A consortium led by global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power has been awarded preferred bidder status by the Department of Energy (DoE) for two large-scale wind energy projects with a total generation capacity of 250 MW.
The award was made under the fourth round of government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and represents an investment of some R5.9-billion.
The DoE has not yet released the date for financial close.
The declaration of the 140 MW Kangnas wind farm, in the Northern Cape, and the 110 MW Perdekraal East wind farm, in the Cape Winelands, as preferred bidder projects brings to 848 MW the total capacity of all wind and solar projects awarded to Mainstream under the REIPPPP since 2011, making it the programme’s most successful project bidder.
In addition to the most recent projects awarded to it, Mainstream is currently building three wind farms in South Africa’s Northern Cape, totalling 360 MW, which it had been awarded under Round 3 of the programme.
In addition, the company, last year, delivered three wind and solar facilities into commercial operation in South Africa under the first round of the programme.
Commenting on the announcement, Mainstream onshore procurement, construction and operations MD Barry Lynch says the group has already demonstrated its capability by delivering three wind and solar farms into commercial operation safely, on time and within budget.