Wind power rises in Mpumalanga as Seriti Green launches Ummbila Emoyeni
President Cyril Ramaphosa hails the new wind farm as a milestone in South Africa’s just energy transition, creating jobs and opportunities
The South African energy sector continues to grow as the country prioritises investment in sustainable infrastructure.
On Friday, July 31, Seriti Green officially launched the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm in Mpumalanga. The opening ceremony was attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who praised the project as a significant step in South Africa’s renewable energy journey.
Ramaphosa highlighted Seriti’s alignment with national energy policy, which balances existing coal-fired power with new opportunities in renewables.
“Mpumalanga is known as the place of the rising sun, but it has not been known for its wind. Some doubted the value of building a wind farm here. But this project – with more than 25 wind turbines dotting the landscape between Bethal, Davel and Morgenzon – demonstrates that this is a province with many energy sources and many opportunities,” Ramaphosa said.
He emphasised that the wind farm represents more than infrastructure; it reflects the strength of partnerships between government, Eskom, the private sector, and local communities.
South Africa’s commitment to a just energy transition, he noted, must be inclusive and create opportunities for its people. The project has already delivered more than 1,000 jobs and attracted over 18,500 registrations on the Seriti Green Skills Hub, with women making up more than half of participants.
Ramaphosa aaded that the achievements of the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm are “very encouraging” for the country’s low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
