Wind energy is gaining serious traction in South Africa, driven by recent policy shifts and the private sector’s increasing appetite for renewable power. Major projects like Discovery Green in the Western Cape, Seriti Green in Mpumalanga, and Red Rocket in the Overberg are expected to add nearly 700 MW of privately financed wind power to the national grid. These new wind farms, featuring state-of-the-art wind turbines, showcase the growing potential of wind energy generation in the country.
This momentum in wind power, however, is not without its challenges. “South Africa is seeing impressive growth in wind-driven projects, but unless we address the infrastructure bottleneck, this growth could quickly plateau,” says Viren Sookhun, Managing Director at Oxyon People Solutions. The enthusiasm for wind energy technology is there, but the ability to deliver depends heavily on grid readiness and effective wind power integration.
Wind energy projects show untapped potential
Although recent government procurement rounds have favoured solar over wind, the onshore wind energy sector still holds massive untapped potential. Large-scale, privately financed initiatives are now stepping into that gap. A prime example is the Overberg wind farm, being developed by Red Rocket in the Western Cape. With a planned 380 MW capacity and the first 242 MW phase already reaching financial close in early 2025, it is set to become the largest private wind energy development in the country.
This project, like others, is being enabled by wheeling agreements, where electricity is transmitted through Eskom’s grid directly to end-users. “Private projects are proving that there’s a strong commercial appetite for wind power. But we can’t allow this enthusiasm to be blocked by a lack of grid planning,” Sookhun notes.
Other noteworthy initiatives include Discovery Green’s 150 MW wind project and Seriti Green’s 155 MW Ummbila Emoyeni wind farm. Together, these three efforts will inject 685 MW of new wind power capacity into the grid. Wheeling strategies are fast becoming a key mechanism to bypass traditional procurement delays, allowing Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to deliver renewable energy sources directly to corporate clients.
Grid infrastructure remains a key obstacle to wind energy
Despite the growing pipeline of wind energy projects, South Africa’s ageing and overstretched grid is struggling to keep up with wind power integration. There is currently a shortfall of about 14,000 km of needed transmission lines, and only 4,000 km have been earmarked for upgrades, none of which have been contracted yet. This bottleneck in wind energy transmission poses a significant challenge to the sector’s growth.
This issue is not unique to South Africa. According to the International Energy Agency‘s (IEA) Building the Future Transmission Grid report, over 1,650 GW of wind and solar projects globally are stuck in limbo, waiting for grid connections. Rising material costs and long lead times for essential components like transformers and cables are further delaying critical infrastructure upgrades needed for efficient power supply.
In South Africa, the implications are severe. “Despite a wealth of projects and investor interest, wheeling and full grid integration are constrained without urgent upgrades to our transmission network,” Sookhun warns. This highlights the need for improved grid stability to support the growing wind energy sector.
Accelerating modernisation is essential
Unlocking the full potential of wind energy requires a faster, smarter approach to grid expansion. This includes simplifying transmission procurement and accelerating environmental permitting so that projects can move quickly from planning to implementation. “We need agile regulation that keeps pace with industry. Grid expansion must match the speed of renewable energy rollouts,” Sookhun explains.
Alongside expansion, digital modernisation is key. Technologies like real-time monitoring, dynamic line rating, and automated load balancing can significantly improve the efficiency of existing infrastructure, easing pressure on the grid while large-scale buildouts are underway. These advancements are crucial for maintaining grid stability as wind power penetration increases.
Skills and supply chains will define long-term success
Building out the grid is not only a technical challenge; it’s a people and logistics challenge too. The IEA estimates a global shortage of 1.5 million grid-sector workers by 2030. South Africa needs to invest in upskilling engineers, line workers, and maintenance technicians to manage an expanding and increasingly digitalised grid, especially as new wind energy technology is introduced.
In addition, securing supply chain resilience is vital. Long-term contracts and bulk purchasing agreements for essential equipment like conductors and transformers will help mitigate delays and price surges. “Strengthening the supply chain and building local expertise isn’t optional; it’s central to ensuring long-term success,” Sookhun emphasises.
Infrastructure must catch up
Wind energy is no longer just a government-led story in South Africa. It is being driven by forward-thinking corporates and bold private investments in wind farms. But the green energy transition can’t move forward if infrastructure lags behind. The integration of wind and solar power, along with other renewables, requires a robust and flexible grid system.
“The wind is blowing in the right direction. But without the wires to carry that power, we risk missing the opportunity to truly transform our energy future,” Sookhun concludes. This underscores the importance of addressing wind energy transmission challenges.
With the right mix of regulatory reform, smart grid adoption, supply chain strategy, and workforce development, South Africa can turn its wind energy potential into a reliable and sustainable power source, one that drives economic growth and energy security for decades to come. The future of wind power in South Africa looks promising, but it hinges on overcoming these infrastructure and integration challenges.
To fully harness the advantages of wind power, the country must also consider complementary technologies such as energy storage and battery storage systems. These can help balance the intermittent nature of wind energy and further enhance grid stability. As South Africa continues to develop its wind energy sector, it may also benefit from exploring the potential of offshore wind energy in the future, adding another dimension to its renewable energy portfolio.
Photo by Narcisa Aciko
