Overview
Coega IDZ Windfarm is an operational onshore wind farm in South Africa, with a capacity of 73.8 MW, owned by Electrawinds Africa and Indian Ocean Islands.
Coega IDZ Windfarm is an operational onshore wind farm located in the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) near Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. With a capacity of 73.8 MW, it is a medium-to-large scale wind facility contributing to the country's renewable energy mix. The wind farm operates under South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), which has driven significant wind and solar deployment since 2011. The facility uses modern wind turbine technology typical of onshore wind farms in the region, benefiting from the strong coastal winds of the Eastern Cape. Coega IDZ Windfarm plays a key role in supplying clean electricity to the national grid, supporting South Africa's goal to increase renewable energy capacity and reduce carbon emissions. Its location within an industrial development zone also facilitates integration with local industrial energy demand.
Environmental context
The wind farm is situated in the Eastern Cape, a region known for its strong and consistent coastal winds, ideal for wind energy generation. The area's open landscape and proximity to the coast minimize visual and land-use conflicts, though wind farms in South Africa must consider impacts on bird and bat populations, particularly migratory species. Grid integration in the region is supported by existing transmission infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions
Coega IDZ Windfarm is located in the Coega Industrial Development Zone near Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Coega IDZ Windfarm has an installed capacity of 73.8 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-to-large scale onshore wind facility.
The wind farm is owned by Electrawinds Africa and Indian Ocean Islands (Pty), a company involved in renewable energy development in the region.
Wind energy in South Africa is primarily supported by the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), which has facilitated numerous wind and solar projects since its launch in 2011.
The wind farm supplies clean electricity to the national grid, helping South Africa diversify its energy mix, reduce reliance on coal, and meet its renewable energy targets under the Integrated Resource Plan.