Construction to start on PE's first windfarm

Construction on a wind farm to supply power to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is due to start near Port Elizabeth soon, MetroWind said yesterday.

The company said it had been given the green light to build and operate a R550-million wind farm in Van Stadens, between Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay. Construction would begin in September.

"The farm, to be known as MetroWind Van Stadens Farm, is expected to start supplying the municipality and Eskom with power in October next year," said company director Donald McGillivray.

Eskom would be supplied with power for a period of 20 years, he said. "The project is a step forward in the country's pursuit of clean, renewable energy."

McGillivray said the community was fully behind the farm.

The government asked for proposals from renewable energy producers last year for the construction and operation of wind farms in the province.

MetroWind, one of the 28 preferred bidders, was granted a licence by the National Energy Regulator of SA.