JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (XOL Africa) — The first phase of the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm, the largest wind farm cluster under development in South Africa, has entered commercial operation, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to expand renewable energy and reduce its dependence on coal-fired electricity.
The 155-megawatt (MW) first phase, developed by Seriti Green and powered by 25 wind turbines supplied by China’s Goldwind, was commissioned during a ceremony attended by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng, Seriti Resources Group Chief Executive Mike Teke, Seriti Green CEO Peter Venn and Goldwind Deputy Chairman and President Cao Zhigang.
The project forms part of the larger Ummbila renewable energy complex in Mpumalanga province, which is planned to deliver 750 MW of wind power, 150 MW of solar photovoltaic generation and 800 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage once fully completed in 2027.
The development comes as South Africa seeks to address persistent electricity shortages while advancing its Just Energy Transition strategy, which aims to diversify the country’s energy mix, attract private investment and support communities historically dependent on the coal industry.
Addressing the commissioning ceremony, Ramaphosa described the project as an important step toward achieving South Africa’s climate and energy goals, saying it would strengthen energy security while supporting sustainable economic development.
Chinese Ambassador Wu Peng said the project reflected the growing partnership between South Africa and China in renewable energy development and infrastructure investment.
Seriti Green Chief Executive Peter Venn said Goldwind had played a critical role in delivering the first phase of the project.
“Goldwind has been our indispensable long-term partner, and we look forward to deepening cooperation on future project phases,” Venn said.
During the ceremony, Seriti Green and Goldwind signed a cooperation agreement covering the project’s planned fourth phase, extending their long-term partnership.
Goldwind President Cao Zhigang said the first phase reached commercial operation ahead of schedule through close collaboration between the company, government authorities and project partners.
“This is not just a wind farm—it is a strategic project that delivers reliable power, drives infrastructure investment, creates local jobs and advances community development,” Cao said.
According to Goldwind, the wind farm created more than 1,200 jobs during construction, with employment expected to peak at around 2,000 across all phases. Once fully operational, the company estimates the project will generate approximately 480,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually—enough to supply roughly 500,000 households—and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 400,000 metric tons each year.
The project is the first commercial wind farm in Mpumalanga province, a region historically associated with South Africa’s coal mining and coal-fired power generation. Developers say the turbines were specifically engineered to operate in the province’s high-altitude environment and withstand frequent thunderstorms while maintaining stable grid performance.
Goldwind, which entered the African market in 2010, said its installed wind generation capacity in South Africa is expected to exceed 2.2 gigawatts by the second quarter of 2027 as additional projects come online.
The commissioning of Ummbila Emoyeni Phase One highlights the growing role of private-sector investment and international partnerships in South Africa’s energy transition as the country works to improve electricity reliability, lower emissions and expand renewable energy capacity.
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