Name of the Project
Northern Cluster wind projects.

Location
Across several farms near Murraysburg and Richmond, on the border between the Western and Northern Cape provinces, South Africa.

The Khangela and Umsinde wind projects are located about 25 km and 28 km north-east of Murraysburg respectively, while Ishwati is about 30 km north-west of the town.

Project Owner/s
Independent power producer Anthem and co-shareholder Reatile Renewables.

Project Description
The Northern Cluster comprises the Khangela Emoyeni, Umsinde Emoyeni and Ishwati Emoyeni wind farms. Every facility has 144 MW of installed capacity and 140 MW of contracted capacity, providing the cluster with a combined installed capacity of 432 MW and a contracted capacity of 420 MW.

Every wind farm comprises 32 Vestas V163-4.5 MW wind turbines with a hub height of 96 m and a rotor diameter of 163 m. The cluster, therefore, comprises 96 turbines.

Their estimated combined energy contribution is about 1.474-million megawatt-hours a year.

Potential Job Creation
The cluster has created more than 1 400 construction jobs and is expected to create more than 50 operational jobs. It will also invest in local development projects over the 20-year operating period.

Capital Expenditure
The three wind farms and their shared grid infrastructure represent a combined investment of almost R15-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Khangela and Umsinde reached financial close in May 2024 and Ishwati in September 2024. Construction of Ishwati started in February 2025. All three projects are scheduled to achieve full commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Latest Developments
Commercial operation before the end of 2026 remains the target despite contractors declaring force majeure after unusually heavy rainfall affected site activity between February and June 2026. Khangela and Umsinde are expected to start generating electricity before Ishwati.

The projects are supported by commercial and industrial power purchase agreements of between 20 and 25 years, concluded in 2024. Khangela’s electricity is contracted to Richards Bay Minerals, Umsinde’s to Sibanye-Stillwater and Ishwati’s to electricity producer and trader NOA.

All 96 turbine foundations have been cast. Vestas, whose towers were manufactured locally by GRI in Atlantis, is supplying the 96 turbines. More than 1 000 truck movements were required to transport turbine components from the Port of Ngqura to the sites.

The shared Gamma B main transmission substation was energised in early 2026 and has been taken over by the National Transmission Company South Africa. It includes 400 kV and 132 kV infrastructure, a 500 MVA transformer, and provision for future feeders and transformers. About 70 km of self-build 132 kV powerlines will connect the cluster for wheeling through the national grid.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Vestas (wind turbine supply and installation); Raubex Infrastructure (civil and electrical balance of plant); Adenco Construction and CSV Construction joint venture (Gamma B main transmission substation); and GRI (locally manufactured turbine towers).

Contact Details for Project Information
Anthem, tel +27 21 670 1400 or email info@anthem.co.za.