Sere Wind Farm

Sere Wind Farm
Location of Sere Wind Farm
Country South Africa
Location north of Koekenaap, Western Cape
Coordinates
Owner(s) Eskom
Power station information
Primary fuel Wind
Generation units 50 turbines
Power generation information
Installed capacity 100 MW

Sere Wind Farm is a wind-farm in the Western Cape province of South Africa that, 100MW when completed, will be one of the largest wind-farms in Southern Africa. The project is estimated to cost R2.689 billion ($375 million).[1]:5 Eskom has stated that the plant will be commissioned by 2012[2] and expects the plant to be fully operational by summer 2013.[3]

It will be located north-west of Vredendal, approximately 300 km (190 mi) north of Cape Town. It will sit on a 16 km2 (6.2 sq mi) Gravewaterkop farm in Skaapvlei[1] north of the mouth of the Olifants River near the town of Koekenaapon the west coast of South Africa.[4]

Contents

Development

The Sere Wind Farm is not the cheapest of options to meet the country's growing power needs but it does help meet South Africa's long-term renewable energy and CO2 mitigation strategy as set out in the Power Sector Integrated Resource Plan 2010-2030. As such the project was given to South Africa's largest state owned power company Eskom for development in an effort to diversify the company away from coal fired energy production. By 2030 South Africa aims to meet 42% of its national demand for power using renewable energy sources.[1]:4 It is estimated that the project will create 140 direct jobs during the construction phase and 10 permanent jobs once the plant is operational.[1]:V It is targeted to reduce South Africa's CO2 emissions by 5 million tons during its first 20 years.[1]:11

Design

When completed the plant will consist of 50 turbines, each generating between 2MW[4] positioned over a 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) area.[1]:7 The Sere site's capacity factor in the 26% to 32% range at heights between 80 to 100 metres (260 to 330 ft). The wind regime has been ranked as Class III (moderate to low wind).[1]:5

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Eskom Renewable Energy Project: PROJECT APPRAISAL REPORT". African Development Bank. March 2011. http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Policy-Documents/RSA%20-%20AR%20Eskom%20Renewable%20Project.pdf. Retrieved August 25, 2011. 
  2. ^ "Wind power boost". I-Net. 2010-03-31. http://news.za.msn.com/economic/article.aspx?cp-documentid=152838033. Retrieved August 25, 2011. 
  3. ^ Dodd, Jan (22 June 2010). "World Bank resurrects 100MW SA project". Windpower Monthly. http://www.windpowermonthly.com/go/middleEastAfrica/news/1011349/World-Bank-resurrects-100MW-SA-project/. Retrieved August 25, 2011. 
  4. ^ a b "Eskom Revives Wind Power Projects". Elemental Power. 26 August 2011. http://elementalpower.com.au/news/?tag=sere-wind-farm. Retrieved August 25, 2011.