Johannesburg, South Africa – Sasol has officially launched its first large-scale renewable energy initiative, the Msenge Emoyeni Wind Farm (Msenge), which has now entered commercial operations. Situated in Bedford, Eastern Cape, this 69 MW wind farm features 16 turbines and is already transmitting renewable energy through the national grid to Sasolburg Operations in the Free State.
The project is spearheaded by African Clean Energy Developments (ACED) and includes partners African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) and Reatile Renewables (Pty) Ltd (Reatile). ACED and AIIM act as co-sponsors, with AIIM holding a 62% stake in the project through its flagship IDEAS Fund, while Reatile owns the remaining 38%.
Completed in just 18 months, Msenge stands out as one of the quickest renewable energy projects to be built, showcasing the consortium’s extensive expertise and enhancing local capabilities in large-scale renewable power development and execution.
Simon Baloyi, President and CEO of Sasol, expressed his enthusiasm about this significant achievement in their energy transition journey, stating, “This historic milestone highlights the effectiveness of partnerships and collaboration. As one of the largest private renewable energy buyers in South Africa, it represents a concrete step toward reducing Sasol’s greenhouse gas emissions, aiding the country’s shift to a lower-carbon future, while also enhancing energy security and fostering local employment.”
James Cumming, GM of ACED, remarked, “We are thrilled to have successfully brought this market-leading project to life for Sasol. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to the sustainable development of South Africa and the benefits it brings to its communities and environment. This accomplishment required a dedicated team effort, and I extend my gratitude to all project participants and stakeholders, including our shareholders, lenders, contractors, advisors, and government.”
Simphiwe Mehlomakulu, Executive Chairman of Reatile Group, concluded, “We take pride in the successful construction of Msenge, which will provide clean energy to Sasol. Reatile Group has a long-standing relationship with Sasol across its value chain, and this project further strengthens our partnership.
