AfrElec: Seriti Resources to build 155-MW wind farm to power its coal mines in South Africa

South African thermal coal producer Seriti Resources is investing in a wind power project by its green energy unit to be developed in the country’s coal-rich Mpumalanga province.

According to group CFO Doug Gain, the 155-MW, ZAR4bn ($235mn) project by Seriti Green will provide electricity for mining operations. Seriti’s mines powered mostly by wind will supply coal for state utility Eskom's plants to produce electricity for the national grid.

The move by Seriti is an illustration of the switch to renewables owing to Eskom's inability to meet demand and frequent implementation of load shedding, or scheduled power cuts, which have now reached record levels.

“There are short-term solutions to alleviate some stages of load shedding, but the only long-term solution is new generation,” Seriti Green chief executive Peter Venn said, asserting that renewable energy from Seriti’s wind project will be up to 40% cheaper than electricity from Eskom.

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