MEC Anton Bredell attends Roggeveld Wind Farm Commercial Operational opening

• Published date: 24 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning recently attended the official commercial operational event of the Roggeveld Wind Farm situated on the border of the Western Cape and Northern Cape near the towns of Laingsburg, Matjiesfontein and Sutherland, in the Karoo.

The Roggeveld Wind Farm has an installed capacity of 147MW wind generation from 47 turbines, which will generate approximately 613GWh per year. The Farm, majority owned by Red Rocket, an independent global power producer, became operational at the end of February 2022. Construction, at a cost of R4.4bn, commenced in 2019.

Bredell said renewable energy projects such as Roggeveld Wind Farm are to be welcomed in South Africa. 'At this stage, every watt added to our national grid is essential. This will provide Eskom with some breathing space to get its house in order.'

Bredell said although private sector investment in energy generation is essential for our future, it does not absolve government from its responsibility to provide energy security to the country. 'The private sector is driven by profit, whereas government has the responsibility to also look after the most vulnerable people in our communities. This partnership between state and...