Suzlon bags 138-MW wind energy order from South Africa

Suzlon Group, the world’s fifth largest wind turbine supplier, announced the receipt of Notice to Proceed to commence construction of the Cookhouse Wind Energy Facility located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Suzlon will supply 66 s.88 2.1 MW wind turbines to the wind power project.

The Cookhouse Wind Farm is the largest renewable energy project selected during Round One of the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme. Financial Closure was achieved in late December 2012 with construction commencing in January 2013.

The Cookhouse Wind Farm was developed in partnership with African Clean Energy Developments (ACED), a South African based renewable energy project developer owned jointly by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (a company held by Old Mutual Investment Group – South Africa – and Macquarie Capital) and AFPOC Limited.

Debt finance will be provided by The Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd, Nedbank Ltd and Futuregrowth Asset Management Proprietary Ltd whilst equity will be provided by AFPOC Ltd, African Infrastructure Investment Fund 2 Partnership, African Infrastructure Investment Fund 2 (Mauritius), Apollo Investment Partnership II, Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (South Africa) Ltd and the Cookhouse Wind Farm Community Trust.

Tulsi Tanti, founder, Chairman, Suzlon Group, said: “The financial closure of the Cookhouse project marks the commencement of our aspirations for South Africa.”

http://www.suzlon.com/images/Media_Center_Press_release/295_01-feb-13-Suzlon-signs-138MW-firm-order-in-South-Africa.pdf