News Desk Reporter
Commercial operations at the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility near Bethal were officially launched today. President Cyril Ramaphosa said the project would strengthen South Africa’s energy security, create jobs and attract investment.
The facility’s first phase will generate 155MW of renewable electricity. It forms part of Seriti Green’s planned 900MW renewable energy programme, which is expected to add capacity to the national grid over time.
Launching the commercial operations, Ramaphosa said the project reflected the value of partnerships between government, Eskom, the private sector and local communities.
“Today represents far more than the completion of an infrastructure project. This project underscores the value of the partnership between government, Eskom, the private sector and communities,” he said.
Ramaphosa congratulated Seriti Green on bringing the facility into commercial operation. He noted that the company had built its reputation in South Africa’s coal industry and had now expanded its investment into renewable energy.
He said the project supported the country’s Just Energy Transition by combining cleaner energy generation with economic development and infrastructure investment.
According to the President, more than 1 000 jobs have already been created through the project. Around half went to people living within a 10-kilometre radius of the site.
He said more than 18 500 people had registered on the Seriti Green Skills Hub. The platform provides access to current and future employment opportunities linked to the project. More than half of those registered are women.
Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu said the project represented an opportunity to grow the provincial economy while improving people’s lives.
“Our communities see this project as a symbol of a brighter future. It is about creating jobs, developing skills, attracting investment, restoring dignity to families, and opening opportunities for the next generation,” Ndlovu said.
Located in one of South Africa’s traditional energy-producing regions, the project also includes investment in transmission infrastructure, local supplier participation, skills development and community programmes.
Seriti Green chairman Mike Teke said the facility showed what could be achieved through collaboration between government and business.
“In just a few years, working closely with government, we have delivered. This is Just Energy Transition in action. Coal and renewables together, transforming communities and powering 500 000 homes,” he said.
Teke said more than 2 100 people had worked on the project during construction. He added that more than 18 500 job seekers had already registered on the company’s skills portal.
Seriti Green chief executive Peter Venn said the project demonstrated South Africa’s ability to deliver major infrastructure while attracting investment into the energy sector.
“This project accumulated more than three million hours of work, and all of that time we did not record a single lost time injury,” Venn said.
Seriti Green pledged R4.5 billion towards renewable energy projects at the 2023 South Africa Investment Conference. Earlier this year, the company announced a further R10 billion investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
The Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility is expected to strengthen electricity generation, support local economic development and create long-term opportunities for communities in Mpumalanga.