A new wind farm near Bethal in Mpumalanga is being hailed as a milestone in South Africa’s energy story, one that pairs jobs, investment and clean power in the country’s traditional coal heartland. President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched commercial operations at the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility, calling it a significant step towards strengthening energy security and advancing the Just Energy Transition.
Speaking at the launch on Friday, the President described the project as an example of how government, the private sector, Eskom and communities can work together to drive infrastructure development and inclusive economic growth.
More than 1 000 jobs and counting
The numbers behind the project tell an encouraging story. “I understand that to date, more than 1 000 jobs have been created through this project, with about half of these jobs going to people living within a 10km radius,” President Ramaphosa said.
The developer, proudly South African company Seriti Green, reported that over 2 100 employees had contributed to construction, and that more than 18 500 job seekers had registered on its Skills Hub to access current and future opportunities. Notably, more than half of those who registered are women, which the President welcomed as “a promising sign of the potential that this and other projects have to drive women’s economic empowerment.”
Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu said the facility had brought real hope to the province. “Our communities see this project as a symbol of a brighter future,” he said, adding that it was about “creating jobs, developing skills, attracting investment, restoring dignity to families, and opening opportunities for the next generation.”
Coal and renewables, side by side
What makes Ummbila Emoyeni striking is where it sits. Located in South Africa’s traditional energy-producing region, the facility shows how renewable power can grow alongside the coal industry rather than simply replacing it overnight.
The first phase comprises 155MW of wind generation and forms part of a planned 900MW renewable energy programme. Seriti Green Chairman Mike Teke said the project already showed what collaboration could achieve. “This is JET in action. Coal and renewables together, and the benefits and beneficiaries in the towns of Bethal, Davel and Morgenzon transforming their towns and communities, and powering 500 000 homes,” he said.
Safety was a point of pride too. Seriti Green CEO Peter Venn said the project had accumulated more than three million hours of work “and all of that time, we did not record a single lost-time injury.”
Confidence in South Africa
The wind farm also reflects growing investor confidence in the country. Seriti pledged R4.5 billion at the 5th South Africa Investment Conference in 2023, followed by a further R10 billion investment in renewable energy infrastructure at the 6th conference earlier this year.
For residents nearby, the promise is practical. Community member Muziwabantu Sikhakhane told SAnews the facility would boost the province’s energy security and keep opportunity closer to home. “We hope more job opportunities will be created for our people. There will be no need to flock to Gauteng for jobs,” he said.
With turbines now turning and homes being powered, Ummbila Emoyeni stands as proof that South Africa can build infrastructure of global significance while keeping its communities firmly at the centre of the story.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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