France’s state-owned utility, Électricité de France (EDF), has commissioned its 420 megawatts wind cluster in South Africa, representing the first project in its 1.5 GW construction portfolio in the country to be completed.
The project known as Koruson 1, is located on the border of the Northern and Eastern Cape provinces. It comprises three wind farms with 78 turbines, each with a capacity of 5.6 MW.
According to a statement from EDF on Monday, the initiative is expected to generate enough electricity to supply about 579,000 South African households annually.
Koruson 1 was awarded under the fifth bid window of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) in 2021.
It operates under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Eskom, the country’s public grid operator.
South Africa introduced REIPPPP in 2011 to open electricity generation to private investors and diversify its energy mix.
The programme allows independent power producers to bid competitively for long-term contracts to supply renewable energy to the national grid.
EDF developed Koruson 1 through a consortium that includes South African Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) partners H1 Holdings, Gibb-Crede, and a local community trust.
The company’s Southern Africa Vice President said the commissioning represents a milestone for its pipeline in the country.
“Koruson 1 is the first of our 1.5 GW portfolio currently under construction to reach completion,” the executive stated in the release.
Under REIPPPP rules, projects are required to include local ownership and socio-economic development components. Community trusts linked to wind and solar farms receive dividends.
Other projects by EDF and partners
In addition to the wind farms, the consortium constructed a Main Transmission Substation (MTS). The facility is designed to connect up to 1.5 GW of renewable energy to the national grid.
EDF said the substation will also accommodate electricity from Koruson 2, a separate 520 MW wind project being developed with Envusa Energy.
South Africa’s grid capacity has remained a constraint for renewable projects in the Northern Cape, where wind and solar resources are strongest.
In recent procurement rounds, several preferred bidders were unable to reach financial close due to limited transmission availability in key corridors.
The project includes transmission infrastructure (a Main Transmission Substation) built by the consortium.
Wind energy adds to South Africa’s renewable mix
South Africa’s electricity system has relied heavily on coal for decades.
Hoewever, renewable energy capacity has increased under successive REIPPPP bid windows.
According to government targets, wind power is expected to account for 21% of installed capacity by 2030, compared to about 5% in 2024.
Wind projects commissioned under earlier bid windows include facilities such as the 140 MW Perdekraal Wind Farm in the Western Cape, and the 27 MW Van Stadens wind farm in the Eastern Cape. Larger clusters have been commissioned in more recent rounds.
The fifth bid window, under which Koruson 1 was awarded, occurred after extended periods of load shedding between 2022 and 2023.
Eskom has reported improved generation performance at several coal stations. The government continues to procure renewable capacity.
More details on REIPPPP
REIPPPP has attracted both local and international developers since its launch. Projects are financed privately but operate under long-term contracts with Eskom, which purchases the generated electricity.
Under the programme’s structure, bidders compete primarily on price and technical compliance.
The competitive framework has driven down renewable energy tariffs over time, according to data released by South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in previous bid summaries.
EDF power solutions’ portfolio in South Africa now totals 1.5 GW under construction, with Koruson 1 the first completed asset in that group. The commissioning adds 420 MW to the grid.
