A China-backed wind power development in South Africa’s Northern Cape is adding to installed capacity through a large-scale renewable generation project. The De Aar wind project in South Africa, commissioned in 2017 and developed through cooperation between South Africa and China, has become a major source of wind-generated electricity in a region known for consistently strong wind conditions. In the Northern Cape, the project functions as long-term energy infrastructure and reflects wider cross-border cooperation within the energy sector.
The De Aar wind project was commissioned by CHN Energy Longyuan Power South Africa Branch under a cooperative framework involving Chinese and South African partners. Backed by an investment of RMB 2.5 billion, the project is described as the largest operational wind power development in South Africa. It has an installed capacity of 244.5 megawatts, reflecting the scale of the build and the Northern Cape’s suitability for utility-scale wind generation. Wind conditions in the region rank among the strongest in the country, and that has helped make it a focal point for wind energy development.
From an operational standpoint, the De Aar wind project supplies around 770 million kilowatt-hours of electricity to the South African grid each year. The facility includes 163 wind turbines, each rated at 1.5 MW, arranged to maximize energy output across the site. Its size and generation profile show its role in expanding renewable capacity and increasing the share of wind energy in the national power mix. The project’s commissioning marked a decisive moment for South Africa’s wind energy sector and reinforced the case for large-scale wind projects in the Northern Cape.
Beyond electricity generation, the project has also played a role in skills development and local workforce participation. CHN Energy Longyuan Power South Africa Branch has supported training programs over the past decade, helping build technical and operational skills linked to renewable energy projects. More broadly, the De Aar wind project in South Africa shows how international cooperation has supported renewable energy infrastructure across Africa and has helped position the Northern Cape as a center for wind power development. The project continues to be mentioned in discussions about future wind investments and cross-border collaboration in the region’s energy sector.
