NEWS

A 1GW wind farm in the Western Cape has become the largest permitted wind energy project in South Africa.

AMDA Developments will build the 154-turbine Carissa Wind Energy Facility (WEF), located near Beaufort West.

The scheme has been granted environmental authorisation (EA) following an environmental impact assessment process led by Blue Crane Environmental.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) endorsed the process, granting EA within a streamlined timeframe under the project’s Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP) status.

Head of AMDA’s South African operations Piero Granelli said: “Development projects always present unique challenges, but we are thrilled to have successfully navigated this milestone. Since 2010, AMDA has grown its renewable energy portfolio in South Africa to over 5000MW. We commend Blue Crane for their dedication to meeting strict permitting timelines without compromising on environmental integrity, and we appreciate the DFFE’s clear guidance throughout the process.”

Hive Hydrogen South Africa will serve as the offtaker for the project’s output. Clean electricity generated by the Carissa WEF will be directed to Hive Hydrogen’s planned green ammonia production facility at the Port of Ngqura (Coega) in the Eastern Cape. The integration of wind power into green hydrogen production is expected to support the development of sustainable fuel supply chains and industrial growth in the region.

Chairman of Hive Hydrogen South Africa Thulani Gcabashe, commented: “We are delighted that our Carissa wind project has achieved this major milestone. We have been constantly impressed by the professionalism, thoroughness and efficiency of the environmental impact assessment conducted by Blue Crane and managed by AMDA.”