The renewable energy company generating 770 GWh of electricity each year for South Africa
Nelson Mandela University Professor Arielle Liu. Credit: People’s Daily Online SA
Longyuan South Africa Renewables is playing a key role in South Africa’s green energy revolution through its two local wind power projects.
According to David Dai, Business Development Manager for Longyuan South Africa Renewables, their wind power plants have produced an incredible 5,400 GWh of clean energy since they went into operation in 2017.
Dai was speaking at a Longyuan South Africa Renewables event in Cape Town, where the company released a report on the work it is doing in South Africa’s renewable energy sector.
We unpack the positive impact of the wind power projects in more detail, below.
Impressive power generation
Longyuan South Africa Renewables is a subsidiary of the China Longyuan Power Group Corporation – the world’s largest wind power operator and an affiliate of the Fortune Global 500 company China Energy Investment Corporation (CHN Energy).
This gives Longyuan South Africa Renewables the backing it needs to excel in South Africa, where it has established the country’s two largest wind power projects.
These projects are located in De Aar, Northern Cape, and have a combined generation capacity of 244.5 MW.
They comprise the De Aar 1 Maanhaarberg Wind Farm Facility (DA1) and the De Aar 2 North Wind Farm Facility (DA2) – totalling 163 wind turbines.
Construction on these wind farms began in 2015, and they entered operation two years later.
“Since then, they have generated an impressive 5.4 billion kWh (5,400 GWh) of clean electricity, which is about 770 million kWh per year (770 GWh),” said Dai.
This is equivalent to saving 215,800 tons of coal per year – an incredible milestone in South Africa’s path to sustainable energy.
Representatives from Nelson Mandela University and Longyuan South Africa Renewables. Credit: People’s Daily Online SA
SAC Think Tank report
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Professor Arielle Liu was a key speaker at the event, and used the opportunity to reveal the findings of the latest SAC Think Tank report – which assessed the status of and issues in South Africa’s energy sector.
The report also examined the prospects for renewable energy development and gauged the adaptability of Chinese enterprises to support South Africa’s renewable energy goals.
“The report provides strategies and development costs for future investors who want to land in South Africa,” said Liu.
“This will help to promote future development and cooperation between South Africa and China.”
NMU Professor Michelle Mey also took part in the event, and explained that each country has its own energy strengths.
This includes the different national standards for renewable energy between South Africa and China, which “significantly impact project timelines and implementation”.
In China, renewable energy projects are implemented quickly – while South Africa has a more complex regulatory environment that can slow the process.
“Strategic alignment between South Africa and China on renewable energy projects can drive economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability,” concluded Mey.
Click here to learn more about Longyuan South Africa Renewables.
NMU Professor Michelle Mey. Credit: People’s Daily Online SA
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