The wind farm’s primary area of community development are the surrounding towns and communities including Humansdorp, Hankey, Patensie, Loerieheuwel, Umzamowethu and Sea Vista. The project committed 4.2% of its total revenue towards socio-economic development. A community trust holds 40% of the shares in the project company.
The Gibson Bay wind farm is a 111MW project comprising 37 turbines. The Department of Energy approved the project in Round 3 of the REIPPPP. It is situated on farmland close to the town of St. Francis in the Eastern Cape province and is expected to be operational in 2017.
The wind farm’s primary area of community development are the surrounding towns and communities including Humansdorp, Hankey, Patensie, Loerieheuwel, Umzamowethu and Sea Vista. The project committed 4.2% of its total revenue towards socio-economic development. A community trust holds 40% of the shares in the project company.
Community benefits during wind farm construction
- School meals, nutritional education and healthy lifestyle training for learners.
- Free WIFI for public spaces in low-income communities
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Investment of community funds to-date
| Socio-Economic Development & Enterprise Development |
| This wind farm is still being build. Once it’s turbines start turning, it will report on community investments. |
Community ownership
The Gibson Bay Community Trust holds 40% shareholding in the project. The community trust will, in the initial phase, pay back the loan before the benefits starts flowing into the community.
