A high-level government delegation led by Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, alongside Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul, visited the Umsobomvu Wind Farm near Middelburg, in the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality, to witness tangible progress in South Africa s renewable energy transition.
Set against a landscape of towering turbines, the visit highlighted the scale and strategic importance of the project, which has now officially reached Commercial Operation Date (COD). With a generation capacity of 140 megawatts (MW), the Umsobomvu Wind Farm represents a significant addition to the country s growing clean energy capacity and a clear signal that the transition to renewable energy is no longer a future ambition, but a present-day reality.
This is not just about megawatts on the grid; it is about changing lives. Projects like Umsobomvu demonstrate that when we invest in clean energy, we are also investing in jobs, in skills, and in the dignity of our people. The transition to renewable energy is no longer coming; it is already here, and it must benefit our communities in a meaningful and lasting way”, said Premier Mabuayne.
This milestone follows closely on the heels of the Mooi Plaats Solar PV project in the Northern Cape, which recently achieved COD with a capacity of 240MW. Together, these developments mark a pivotal phase in the rollout of the Koruson 2 energy cluster. With 380MW of the cluster s total 520MW now fully operational, the projects are not only strengthening energy security but also advancing South Africa s shift toward a more sustainable and resilient energy mix. Beyond the infrastructure, the impact of these projects is expected to be far reaching supporting local economic development, creating jobs, and opening opportunities for communities across both provinces.
Earlier this week, this momentum was further reinforced when key stakeholders convened in Middelburg for a strategic engagement ahead of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will guide collaboration on the broader Koruson Cluster of Renewable Energy Projects. The engagement brought together government, municipalities, and private sector partners, including EDF Power Solutions, Nxuba Local Municipality, Chris Hani District Municipality, SALGA, as well as Umsobomvu Local Municipality, and the Pixley ka Seme District Municipality in the Northern Cape , working together under the leadership of the two Offices of the Premier to ensure that the Koruson initiative delivers meaningful impact. The session focused on aligning priorities, clarifying roles, and ensuring coordinated implementation to maximise the developmental impact of the initiative.
Central to these discussions was a shared commitment to ensuring that renewable energy projects translate into meaningful benefits for local communities through job creation, skills development, and support for small businesses. The combination of visible infrastructure progress at Umsobomvu and the structured intergovernmental collaboration taking shape through the MOU process reflects a government focused on delivery, accountability, and inclusive growth. As the Koruson Cluster continues to take shape, it stands not only as a cornerstone of South Africa s clean energy future, but also as a practical demonstration of how strategic partnerships can drive sustainable development and improve lives across provinces.
