South Africa Advances Energy Transition with 720 MW Nuweveld Project
South Africa’s clean-energy transition takes a major step forward as Red Cap Energy and Anthem partner to build the 720 MW Nuweveld Wind Farm in the Upper Karoo. Approved by NERSA and set to launch in 2029, it will be the largest private wind project in the country, powering over 500,000 homes and cutting 1.1 million tonnes of CO₂ each year.
South Africa’s renewable energy sector reached a new milestone this week as Red Cap Energy and Anthem, two of the country’s leading clean power developers, confirmed a partnership to construct the 720 MW Nuweveld Wind Farm in the Upper Karoo region of the Western Cape. Expected to come online in 2029, the project has secured both grid capacity allocation and regulatory approval from NERSA, establishing it as the largest privately financed wind project in South Africa’s history.
This development comes at a critical moment, as several of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations are set to retire by 2030. The Nuweveld project will play a key role in bridging the emerging energy supply gap, offering large-scale, clean generation capacity to complement South Africa’s aging coal infrastructure.
Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
Project Name | Nuweveld Wind Project |
Capacity | 720 MW |
Developers | Red Cap (30%) | Anthem (70%) |
Location | Upper Karoo, between Beaufort West and Loxton (Western Cape) |
Transmission Line | 200 km, privately developed by Red Cap |
Regulator | NERSA |
Grid allocation | Secured |
Construction Date | 2026 |
Target commissioning | 2029 |
Expected Output | 500,000 homes powered |
CO2 Offset | 1.1 million tonnes per year |
According to Mark Tanton, CEO of Red Cap Energy, the project’s timing is strategic:
“We’re experiencing temporary relief from load shedding, but when industrial activity accelerates again, South Africa will urgently need new generation capacity. Wind energy provides that balance — it’s reliable, affordable, and sustainable.”
The project comprises three 240 MW facilities between Beaufort West and Loxton, connected through a 200 km transmission line developed by Red Cap — a move that demonstrates the private sector’s proactive approach to overcoming grid constraints.
Beyond its energy contribution, the Nuweveld Wind Farm also reflects South Africa’s evolving policy landscape, aligning with the Infrastructure Transmission Plan (ITP) which now allows private developers to build and operate grid infrastructure. This model enhances investment confidence and accelerates renewable deployment across the country.
With the capacity to power over 500,000 homes and offset 1.1 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, the project signals a structural shift in South Africa’s energy future — one where private capital, local innovation, and regulatory reform converge to deliver sustainable impact.
