Project details
1515 · Wind energy
  • Northern Cape, South Africa
A windfarm for people and the environment

Located on the Swartkoppies and Maanhaarberge mountains in the Northern Cape region in South Africa, 67 wind turbines installed by the project supply renewable energy to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). The 290,500 MWh produced by the wind farm annually would otherwise have been generated by environmentally harmful coal-fired plants. This saves about 286,750 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

The project also contributes to the sustainable development of the region by offering additional benefits for the local community: A mobile health clinic offers various medical services, educational programmes and bursary schemes support local pupils in their education and the rehabilitation of boreholes supplies clean water.

How wind energy contributes to climate action

As the name suggests, wind turbines use the power of the wind to generate energy. During this process, a generator located inside the wind turbine converts kinetic energy into electrical energy. As energy is still mainly generated from fossil fuels in many areas around the world, clean wind energy can replace some of this fossil, high-emission energy and verifiably save CO2 emissions.

In most cases, the sustainably generated electricity from the wind power projects is fed into a regional power grid, which diversifies the power supply and improves energy security in regions that are frequently affected by power shortages and outages. A project often creates increased job opportunities for the local population and the area can be used for additional activities, such as agriculture. Wind power projects make an important contribution to a clean energy supply worldwide and contribute to sustainable development with respect to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Wind energy projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.

Contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Good Health and Well-BeingThe project provides health services to the local community including primary healthcare, dental, eye and COVID-19 related services with a Mobile Health Clinic. So far, 35,251 people have been screened.
Quality EducationThe project supports a math enrichment programme for pupils in 10 primary and 4 high schools to and encourage interest in this subject. Three Early Childhood Development Centres were renovated to support about 155 children between 2 and 6. About 108 students are currently on the project’s bursary scheme that covers tuition, accommodation, books, food, and laptops.
Clean Water and SanitationBy rehabilitating five existing and drilling one new borehole the project provides clean water to 6,502 people in the local community.
Affordable and Clean EnergyBy supplying 290,500 MWh of renewable energy to the grid per year, the project makes clean electricity available to more people in South Africa.
Climate ActionThe project saves about 286,750 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Project standardVerified Carbon Standard (VCS)TechnologyWind energyRegionNorthern Cape, South AfricaEstimated annual emission reductions286,752 t CO2Verified byTÜV SÜD South Asia Private LimitedValidated byCarbon Check (Pty) Ltd.