wind farms
Klipheuwel Wind Farm
Eskom's demonstration wind farm at Klipheuwel in the Cape is exploring the use of wind energy for bulk electricity generation. Of the turbines, the most basic unit is performing the best under high wind conditions in summer, while the largest turbine is performing the best under weak wind or winter conditions.
Overall, the total production annually has been just more than 4GWh. The Klipheuwel wind farm has a total capacity of 3.2 MW, and is expected to generate at a load factor of between 20 and 30 percent. The wind farm consists of three units, that is two Vestas (Danish) turbines of 660kW and 1 750kW respectively, and a Jeumont (French) turbine of 750kW. The blade spans are 47, 66, and 48 metres respectively.
The first unit started generating on 16 August 2002 and the last on 20 February 2003. Each wind generator has its own small meteorological station on top of the turbine, as well as an aircraft warning light. The wind turbines at Klipheuwel generate at wind speeds between 11 and 50 km/hour. Full power is reached at 50 km/hour.
Darling National Demonstration Wind Farm
In June 2000 the Minister of Minerals and Energy declared the Darling wind farm as a National Demonstration project. This facility will consist of four German-designed wind turbines that will produce 1.3MW of electricity each, bringing the total output of the wind farm to 5,2MW with an annual average output of 13.2 GW (28% load factor). This is the 1st grid connected, independent wind energy power-generating facility developed in South Africa. The Darling Wind farm Company (DWP) signed a 20 year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the City of Cape Town as well as a Power Wheeling Agreement with Eskom.