South Africa is pushing forward with one of its most significant wind energy projects to date: the 330 MW Impofu wind power complex, which is targeting full commissioning in 2026. The project, developed by Enel Green Power South Africa (EGP SA), comes at a critical moment for the nation, which continues to grapple with frequent load-shedding and electricity supply challenges.
For decades, South Africa’s energy system has relied heavily on coal. The country remains one of the world’s largest coal exporters, yet domestic electricity supply is often insufficient to meet demand. Eskom, the state-owned utility, regularly implements rolling blackouts, affecting millions of households and businesses. In response, South Africans increasingly rely on diesel and gasoline generators, while apps now track expected outages to help residents plan around them.
The Impofu wind complex aims to diversify the energy mix, providing a cleaner, more resilient source of electricity. The project comprises three separate wind farms — Impofu East, Impofu West, and Impofu North — with a total of 57 turbines delivering 330 MW. Once operational, the complex will supply power to industrial customers, including Sasol South Africa and Air Liquide Large Industries South Africa, while also feeding into the national grid.
“This project represents a major step forward in South Africa’s energy transition,” said Manuele Battisti, Country Manager at EGP South Africa. “Through strategic partnerships, we are proud to spearhead these transformative wind farms, which mark significant progress in delivering sustainable energy solutions for the country.”
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The Impofu development aligns with broader continental trends. Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), noted: “Africa has already begun its transition to a clean energy future, but this process is moving far too slowly with incumbent fossil fuels playing too prominent a role.” South Africa, with its high energy intensity and industrial economy, faces particular pressure to accelerate renewables adoption, and projects like Impofu are pivotal.
Wind power is becoming increasingly cost-competitive in South Africa. Data from the South African Wind Energy Association shows that wind tariffs in recent renewable energy procurement rounds have averaged around R0.49/kWh, undercutting the cost of new coal generation. Impofu’s contribution of 330 MW could supply energy to roughly 200,000 homes, depending on consumption patterns, while significantly reducing carbon emissions compared with coal-fired generation.
EGP SA emphasizes not only electricity generation but also community and economic impact. Construction and operational activities are expected to create hundreds of local jobs and stimulate regional supply chains. “We remain dedicated to providing innovative, clean energy solutions while creating shared value for our partners, communities, and clients,” Battisti added.
The Impofu complex also serves as a testbed for advancing wind technology in South Africa. With the 57 turbines deployed across three sites, engineers will monitor performance, optimize integration with the national grid, and evaluate storage and hybrid solutions to increase reliability.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.
