EDF Renewables in South Africa achieved Financial and Commercial Close on 18 January 2023, on Coleskop Wind Power (Pty) Ltd - the third of its Koruson 1 projects, which were awarded in the Renewable Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) Bid Window 5.

The Coleskop Wind Farm, together with the company's other two wind farms, Phezukomoya and San Kraal, will add 420 MW of electricity to South Africa's grid.

Each project will comprise 26 wind turbines, with a hub height of 124 m and a blade length of 83 m. EDF Renewables is also constructing the Koruson main transmission substation (MTS) under a self-build agreement (SBA), which will be transferred to Eskom upon completion. The projects will sell power to Eskom under a 20-year PPA. 

The Coleskop Wind Farm is located in the vicinity of Middelburg, in the Umsombomvu Local Municipality, on the boundary of the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape Provinces. It is expected to reach commercial operations by the beginning of 2025. 

The company says it is committed to providing 2230 job years, which includes more than 590 full-time jobs for South African citizens during the construction period of two years, and 50 full-time jobs during the operating period of twenty years. Approximately 40% of the project value will comprise local content, and during operations, 1,2% of revenue generated by the projects will be applied to socio-economic development initiatives for nearby local communities.