- San Kraal wind farm achieves commercial operation as part of the 420 MW Koruson 1 project cluster.
- Largest self-build main transmission substation by an independent power producer in South Africa completed and energised.
- The project strengthens grid stability, local manufacturing and South Africa’s long term energy transition goals.
EDF Power Solutions has announced the achievement of commercial operation of the 140 MW San Kraal wind farm on 11 December 2025. The project forms part of the 420 MW Koruson 1 wind project cluster located in South Africa.
A key milestone within the Koruson 1 development was the completion and energisation of the Koruson 400 and 132 kV main transmission substation on 5 April 2025. The facility is the largest self build main transmission substation undertaken by an independent power producer in the country. It has been designed and constructed to connect up to 1.5 GW of renewable energy capacity from the adjoining Koruson 1 and Koruson 2 projects to the national grid.
Koruson 1 was developed by a consortium led by EDF Power Solutions in partnership with South African BEE partners H1 Holdings Gibb Credé and a local community trust. The project was awarded under Round 5 of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme and operates under a 20 year power purchase agreement with the designated off-taker.
The San Kraal wind farm comprises 26 wind turbines each with a nominal capacity of 5.4 MW. The synchronous turbines are designed to improve plant reliability and contribute to grid stability by operating in direct synchronisation with grid frequency. Concrete turbine towers were manufactured at a facility near Middelburg supporting employment for approximately 400 workers during the construction phase. Goldwind supplied and installed the turbines while the balance of plant was delivered by a consortium of Concor and OptiPower part of Murray Roberts.
Tristan de Drouas Vice President Southern Africa at EDF Power Solutions said the project supports the objectives of South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan 2025 which outlines a pathway to a net zero electricity sector by 2050 including the addition of 34 GW of new wind capacity. He noted that EDF Power Solutions is currently constructing 1.5 GW of low carbon energy across 12 sites in South Africa with San Kraal alone expected to generate 616 GWh per year enough to supply approximately 193,000 homes.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
