On July 31, 2026, in the wilderness of Besar region in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, 25 wind turbines with a diameter of 182 meters were slowly rotating under the scorching sun. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa personally pressed the start button and attended the commercial operation launch ceremony of Ummbila Emoyeni wind farm. This 155 MW wind farm is supplied with all 25 intelligent wind turbines by China Goldwind Technology, with an annual power generation of 480 million kWh, which can meet the electricity needs of about 500000 households and reduce carbon emissions by about 400000 tons per year. In Mpumalanga Province, which has long relied on coal as its economic pillar, the roar of large-scale green electricity has been heard for the first time in the heart of coal-fired power.

The presidential platform highlights strategic weight

In his speech, President Ramaphosa placed the project at the height of South Africa's national energy strategy, stating that it is an important step in strengthening energy security, creating employment, promoting a just energy transition, and serving as an example of how a just energy transition benefits communities. The full text of the speech released on the official website of the South African government shows that Ramaphosa particularly congratulates project developer Seriti Green, a company with a good track record in the coal industry, on using practical actions to promote energy transformation. Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, stated that Chinese enterprises are not only visitors from afar, but also deeply rooted partners in South Africa. The President's personal visit and the ambassador's voice demonstrate the special significance of this project to bilateral relations.

Set multiple records for wind power in South Africa

Ummbila Emoyeni wind farm has become the largest operating wind power project in South Africa with an impeller diameter of 182 meters. The total installed capacity is 155 MW, equipped with 25 Goldwind Technology GWH182-6.2MW intelligent units, with an annual power generation of 480 million kWh and a carbon reduction of about 400000 tons, covering electricity consumption for about 500000 households. The Governor of Mpumalanga Province, Mandera Ndhlovu, stated that such a project will ensure that the province continues to be a leading energy producing province in South Africa. From the 420 MW Koruson 1 wind power cluster to the 155 MW project, Goldwind Technology has covered 575 MW of wind power projects in operation in South Africa, serving over one million households, and transitioning from a point breakthrough to a system layout. Keywords: the Belt and Road News Network, PV module

Moving from a single project to an energy cluster

155 megawatts is just the beginning. This project is the first phase of the Ummbila Emoyeni energy complex planned by Seriti Green. The entire complex is planned to have a total installed capacity of approximately 900 megawatts, spanning five wind farms, one photovoltaic power station, and one integrated battery energy storage system. Once completed, it will become the largest mixed renewable energy cluster in South Africa. Seriti has committed an additional 10 billion rand to expand its renewable energy project pipeline. During the ceremony, Goldwind Technology and Seriti Green also signed the fourth phase project cooperation agreement. South Africa has long relied on coal-fired power generation, with old units gradually retiring and power shortages becoming a bottleneck. The Ramaphosa government regards renewable energy as the core path. Seriti's transition from a coal giant to a green power developer is a microcosm of South Africa's national energy transformation and provides an ideal cooperation paradigm for Chinese new energy enterprises.Editor/Gao Xue