- The 720 MW Nuweveld Wind Farm in South Africa’s upper Karoo is set to become the country’s largest wind project once operational. The development, which includes extensive transmission infrastructure, is being led by Anthem (70%) and Red Cap (30%), with all electricity to be sold to licenced energy traders.
The project comprises three 240 MW wind facilities situated about 65 km north of Beaufort West and 30 km south of Loxton. All three have been registered with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
A new main transmission substation (MTS) and a 400 kV powerline linking Nuweveld to Eskom’s Droerivier substation have been fully permitted and incorporated into the National Transmission Company South Africa’s (NTCSA’s) Transmission Development Plan. The line will cross 39 farms and involve 20 landowners.
Red Cap CEO Mark Tanton said the project was consolidated into a single large-scale development to justify the major grid investment. The developers leveraged Red Cap’s experience on the Impofu Wind Farms, which included constructing a 116 km transmission line.
According to Anthem CEO James Cumming, Nuweveld has been allocated grid capacity and is moving toward a grid-connection budget quote expected by mid-2026. He added that financing partners have been identified, and negotiations are under way with turbine suppliers and engineering contractors ahead of financial close.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
