Seriti Green Breaks ground on third phase of landmark Mpumalanga wind farm

• Seriti Green has officially commenced construction on the third 155MW phase of its transformative Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm, marking a major milestone in South Africa’s shift toward renewable energy in the coal-rich province of Mpumalanga.

The project, which has now reached financial close thanks to long-term funding secured from Standard Bank, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), and ABSA, is part of a broader seven-phase development that will ultimately deliver 900 MW of clean energy. The first two phases reached financial close in 2024 and August 2025.

Seriti Green, majority-owned by Seriti Resources—a black-owned coal mining company with deep roots in Mpumalanga—plans to use one-third of the electricity generated to power its own mining operations. The remaining two-thirds will be traded through the NOA Group and the Energy Exchange of Southern Africa.

The full Ummbila Emoyeni project will include five wind farms, a solar photovoltaic (PV) generator, and a battery storage facility. It also features the largest new main transmission substation built in Mpumalanga in over two decades.

Peter Venn, CEO of Seriti Green, described the third phase as a “major milestone” in South Africa’s just energy transition, emphasizing the importance of supporting coal communities as the country pivots toward renewables. “Thousands of people are gaining skills and employment in the renewables sector,” Venn said, noting that on-site employment has already reached 1,200 and is expected to grow to 2,000 as construction progresses.

Author: Bryan Groenendaal