Mainstream Renewable Power lead a consortium of companies to be selected as the preferred bidder for two wind-power projects in South Africa with a combined capacity of 250 megawatts.
The projects are the 140-MW Kangnas located in the Nama Khoi Municipality in the Northern Cape, and the 110-MW Perdekraal East located in the Cape Winelands District and Witzenberg Local Municipalities of the Western Cape.
The award was made under the fourth round of the South African Government’s Renewable Energy Procurement Programme and the two wind farms will cost US$469 million. The date for financial close has not yet been released by the Department of Energy.
Mainstream has been awarded a total of 848MW of wind and solar projects under this programme since the first award in 2011. In addition to the projects awarded, Mainstream is currently constructing three wind farms in South Africa’s Northern Cape, totalling 360MW, which it was awarded under Round 3 of the programme. Last year the company delivered three wind and solar facilities into commercial operation in South Africa under the first round of the programme.
“Renewable energy ticks three important boxes for South Africa’s energy needs,” said Barry Lynch, Managing Director Onshore Procurement, Construction and Operations for Mainstream. “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 South Africa’s burgeoning renewable energy sector.