The wind farm’s primary area of community development is Hopefield. The project committed 1.5% of its total revenue towards socio-economic development and 0.5% towards enterprise development. A community trust holds 5% of the shares in the project company.
Video: https://vimeo.com/125551738
The Umoya wind farm is a 66.6MW project comprising 37 Vestas V100 turbines. The Department of Energy approved the project in Round 1 of the REIPPPP. It is situated on farmland close to the town of Hopefield in the Western Cape and has been fully operational since February 2014.
The wind farm’s primary area of community development is Hopefield. The project committed 1.5% of its total revenue towards socio-economic development and 0.5% towards enterprise development. A community trust holds 5% of the shares in the project company.
Video: https://vimeo.com/125551738
Community benefit highlights
- Flagship programme: Hopefield Home Improvement Programme installing solar water geysers, insulated ceilings, improved electrical wiring and energy efficient lightbulbs to improve the energy efficiency within homes.
- SANParks Alien Vegetation Clearing Project: Upskill local contractors to access the formal economy and create job opportunities for local people.
- University bursaries
- Operational support for local primary schools
- Sponsorship of activities in support of health and social development
|
Community benefits created to-date
Investment of community funds to date
| Socio-Economic Development |
| 17.1 mil |
| Enterprise Development |
|
R 4.7 mil |
Community ownership
The Hopefield Wind Farm Local Community Company holds 5% of the total shares in the wind farm project company. The beneficiaries of the trust’s activities are the residents of the town of Hopefield.
