Enel Green Power RSA has started construction of the 140MW each Karusa and Soetwater wind farms in South Africa.
Both projects are located in the Karoo Hoogland district in Northern Cape province and are expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
Enel will invest over €400m to build the wind farms, which once operational will generate over 585 gigawatt-hours of electricity a year.
Karusa and Soetwater will be supported by a 20-year power supply agreement with the South African energy utility Eskom, in line with the government’s Independent Power Producer programme.
Enel Green Power chief executive Antonio Cammisecra said: “With the start of construction of Karusa and Soetwater, we are now building five wind projects in South Africa, for a total installed capacity of around 700MW, which is further evidence of our ability to supply emission-free energy to this country, supporting its transition towards renewables.
“This robust pipeline of projects under construction comes on top of the major portfolio of wind and solar assets that we have already commissioned thanks to the determination and commitment with which we have worked in South Africa since we first started our development activities in the country, back in 2011.
“We are showing the same determination when it comes to innovation and sustainability, as all of our plants are being built through state-of-the-art technology and sustainable construction practices, while creating local employment and income opportunities.
“Looking ahead, we are committed to further leverage on the wealth of renewable energy resources in this country, so we can continue to contribute to its sustainable development and to create shared value for our South African stakeholders.”
The other three Enel wind farms in South Africa are the Nxuba and Oyster Bay in the Northern Cape and the Garob in the Eastern Cape.
All three also have individual capacities of 140MW.
The five projects were awarded to Enel in Round 4 of the South African government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.